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
Brown was served with an arrest warrant for murder after being discharged from the hospital following treatment for non-life-threatening injuries sustained at the time of the incident.
—
Jenna Sundel
andrew Stanton
jason Lemon, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Sep. 2025
Florida to drop all vaccine requirements The US state of Florida is planning to drop all vaccination requirements, including routine childhood shots for measles, diphtheria, and other life-threatening illnesses.
—Ben Smith, semafor.com, 8 Sep. 2025
In high-income countries, diarrhea is fairly common but rarely life-threatening because of widespread access to clean water and sanitation, rehydration therapy and adequate nutrition.
—Michal Ruprecht, NPR, 8 Sep. 2025
Swells generated by Kiko are forecast to gradually build, and peak along east-facing exposures of the Hawaiian Islands late Monday through midweek, potentially producing life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.
—Gabe Hauari, USA Today, 8 Sep. 2025
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Jenna Sundel
andrew Stanton
jason Lemon, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Sep. 2025
Florida to drop all vaccine requirements The US state of Florida is planning to drop all vaccination requirements, including routine childhood shots for measles, diphtheria, and other life-threatening illnesses.
—Ben Smith, semafor.com, 8 Sep. 2025
In high-income countries, diarrhea is fairly common but rarely life-threatening because of widespread access to clean water and sanitation, rehydration therapy and adequate nutrition.
—Michal Ruprecht, NPR, 8 Sep. 2025
Swells generated by Kiko are forecast to gradually build, and peak along east-facing exposures of the Hawaiian Islands late Monday through midweek, potentially producing life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.
—Gabe Hauari, USA Today, 8 Sep. 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 10 Sep. 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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