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
Muza, 44, was extricated from his vehicle and taken to a hospital with what are believed to be non-life-threatening injuries, police said.
—
Emerson Clarridge
updated November 10, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Nov. 2025
Ernest Boone, 76, of Georgetown, was taken to University of Cincinnati Medical Center for non-life-threatening injuries.
—Gillian Stawiszynski, Cincinnati Enquirer, 10 Nov. 2025
Their injuries were not life-threatening, according to the department.
—Sally Krutzig, Idaho Statesman, 10 Nov. 2025
One adult man sustained life-threatening injuries, while four juveniles suffered non-life-threatening wounds.
—Adeola Adeosun, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for life-threatening
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.
Emerson Clarridge
updated November 10, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Nov. 2025
Ernest Boone, 76, of Georgetown, was taken to University of Cincinnati Medical Center for non-life-threatening injuries.
—Gillian Stawiszynski, Cincinnati Enquirer, 10 Nov. 2025
Their injuries were not life-threatening, according to the department.
—Sally Krutzig, Idaho Statesman, 10 Nov. 2025
One adult man sustained life-threatening injuries, while four juveniles suffered non-life-threatening wounds.
—Adeola Adeosun, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Nov. 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 12 Nov. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share