life-threatening

adjective

life-threat·​en·​ing ˈlīf-ˌthre-tᵊn-iŋ How to pronounce life-threatening (audio)
-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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Within my company’s own portfolio, companies are using AI to do everything from diagnosing life-threatening cardiac conditions to automating private market investment processes, building personalized travel maps and creating interactive digital shopping experiences. Evan Renov, Forbes.com, 2 July 2025 Swells generated by Flossie are also likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions. Gabe Hauari, USA Today, 1 July 2025 They were taken to Memorial Regional Hospital in Hollywood with life-threatening injuries, and Vasquez was pronounced dead. Angie Dimichele, Sun Sentinel, 30 June 2025 With the immigration court system under so much stress, and with immigration enforcement policy changing rapidly, many immigrants have a difficult choice: remain in the U.S. and face rising uncertainty, or return to a home country and face potentially life-threatening circumstances. Renata Daou, Hartford Courant, 30 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for life-threatening

Word History

First Known Use

1759, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of life-threatening was in 1759

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Cite this Entry

“Life-threatening.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/life-threatening. Accessed 7 Jul. 2025.

Medical Definition

life-threatening

adjective
life-threat·​en·​ing ˈlīf-ˌthret-ən-iŋ How to pronounce life-threatening (audio)
: capable of causing death : potentially fatal
life-threatening injuries
a life-threatening allergic reaction
life-threatening arrhythmia
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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