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
Bobcat fever, or Cytauxzoonosis, is a life-threatening disease for domestic cats, resembling malaria in humans.
—
Drew Pittock, USA Today, 21 May 2026
Four innocent bystanders were also hit by gunfire—each was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
—Jeramie Bizzle, CBS News, 20 May 2026
The officer was taken to a hospital for non-life-threatening injuries, Bettineschi added.
—Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 20 May 2026
The victim, who was shot twice, was taken to Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center in Boise with life-threatening injuries.
—Alex Brizee, Idaho Statesman, 20 May 2026
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Drew Pittock, USA Today, 21 May 2026
Four innocent bystanders were also hit by gunfire—each was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
—Jeramie Bizzle, CBS News, 20 May 2026
The officer was taken to a hospital for non-life-threatening injuries, Bettineschi added.
—Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 20 May 2026
The victim, who was shot twice, was taken to Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center in Boise with life-threatening injuries.
—Alex Brizee, Idaho Statesman, 20 May 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 23 May. 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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