life-threatening
adjective
life-threat·en·ing
ˈlīf-ˌthre-tᵊn-iŋ 
-ˌthret-niŋ
: capable of causing death : potentially fatal
a life-threatening disease/condition
The injuries are serious but not life-threatening.
Examples of life-threatening in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Large parts of the West roasted in life-threatening temperatures.
—
Zoë Schlanger, The Atlantic, 16 July 2024
Officers who responded to the hospital learned that the man suffered life-threatening injuries during a stabbing in the area of 154 Reed Ave.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 15 July 2024
Temperatures can become life-threatening within minutes.
—Claire Reid, Journal Sentinel, 15 July 2024
Jackie Duda spent nearly a year recovering after a life-threatening case of sepsis.
—Ken Alltucker, USA TODAY, 14 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for life-threatening 
Zoë Schlanger, The Atlantic, 16 July 2024
Officers who responded to the hospital learned that the man suffered life-threatening injuries during a stabbing in the area of 154 Reed Ave.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 15 July 2024
Temperatures can become life-threatening within minutes.
—Claire Reid, Journal Sentinel, 15 July 2024
Jackie Duda spent nearly a year recovering after a life-threatening case of sepsis.
—Ken Alltucker, USA TODAY, 14 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for life-threatening
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'life-threatening.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near life-threatening
Cite this Entry
“Life-threatening.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/life-threatening. Accessed 26 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
life-threatening
adjective
life-threat·en·ing
ˈlīf-ˌthret-ən-iŋ
: capable of causing death : potentially fatal
life-threatening injuries
a life-threatening allergic reaction
life-threatening arrhythmia
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