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

As 93-year-old Roy Blakey faces life-threatening dementia, his niece races to preserve his legacy—as a figure skater, ice show archivist, and gay photographer whose male nudes etched their way into history—all before his final curtain call. — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 16 Sep. 2026

The victim suffered serious but non-life-threatening injuries, as bystanders on the boardwalk jumped over railings to avoid the speeding car. — Summer Lin, Los Angeles Times, 16 Sep. 2026

Sustaining non-life-threatening wounds to her arm and bicep during the attack, Jacobs was transported to a local hospital and underwent surgery. — Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 16 Sep. 2026

The shooting victim was taken to a local hospital, treated for non-life-threatening injuries and later released. — Joseph Buczek, CBS News, 16 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1759, in the meaning defined above

Medical 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