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
Salmonellosis can become life-threatening, especially for those with weaker immune systems such as children younger than 5, adults older than 64 years or someone with chronic medical conditions or taking immunosuppressive medications.
—
Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 9 June 2025
The girl, a resident of South Lake Tahoe, was transported to Barton Memorial Hospital with what the CHP called life-threatening injuries.
—By, Sacbee.com, 8 June 2025
Depending on the strength and location of the quake, life-threatening waves could approach the coastline in as few as 10 minutes, perhaps not even enough time for an emergency alert to be issued, much less arrive on your cellphone.
—Rong-Gong Lin Ii, Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2025
Four people were taken to the hospital and treated for minor injuries, and one person, the driver of the second truck, sustained life-threatening injuries.
—Katie Langford, Denver Post, 7 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for life-threatening
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Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 9 June 2025
The girl, a resident of South Lake Tahoe, was transported to Barton Memorial Hospital with what the CHP called life-threatening injuries.
—By, Sacbee.com, 8 June 2025
Depending on the strength and location of the quake, life-threatening waves could approach the coastline in as few as 10 minutes, perhaps not even enough time for an emergency alert to be issued, much less arrive on your cellphone.
—Rong-Gong Lin Ii, Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2025
Four people were taken to the hospital and treated for minor injuries, and one person, the driver of the second truck, sustained life-threatening injuries.
—Katie Langford, Denver Post, 7 June 2025
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 16 Jun. 2025.
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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