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
The September before Curran’s arrest, Trantalis had received a restraining order against him, saying that Curran had thrown objects at him and sent life-threatening messages to him and the police chief, according to the petition for the restraining order.
—
Shira Moolten, Sun Sentinel, 9 Apr. 2026
They were seriously injured and taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries.
—Jose Fabian, CBS News, 9 Apr. 2026
Officers found two people with life-threatening stab wounds and determined that the victims’ son, 32-year-old Adam Courtney Brown, was the suspect, police said.
—Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2026
These are films that reflect the human condition through inspirational tales of struggle, tragic true stories, life-threatening conflicts, and intimate psychological portraits.
—Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for life-threatening
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Shira Moolten, Sun Sentinel, 9 Apr. 2026
They were seriously injured and taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries.
—Jose Fabian, CBS News, 9 Apr. 2026
Officers found two people with life-threatening stab wounds and determined that the victims’ son, 32-year-old Adam Courtney Brown, was the suspect, police said.
—Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2026
These are films that reflect the human condition through inspirational tales of struggle, tragic true stories, life-threatening conflicts, and intimate psychological portraits.
—Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for life-threatening
Cite this Entry
“Life-threatening.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/life-threatening. Accessed 12 Apr. 2026.
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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