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
But infections during pregnancy can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery, or life-threatening infection of the newborn, says the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
—
Mike Snider, USA Today, 17 May 2025
Pregnancy tests help rule out this potentially life-threatening condition.12
Imaging Tests
The following imaging tests take pictures of the appendix and surrounding areas to help diagnose and stage appendicitis:13
Ultrasound: An ultrasound uses sound waves to create images.
—Brandi Jones, Health, 17 May 2025
He was taken to a hospital to be treated for his injuries, which did not initially appear to be life-threatening.
—Jason Green, Mercury News, 16 May 2025
The victim was treated at the scene and taken to an area hospital with injuries not believed to be life-threatening, Priest said.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 16 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for life-threatening
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Mike Snider, USA Today, 17 May 2025
Pregnancy tests help rule out this potentially life-threatening condition.12
Imaging Tests
The following imaging tests take pictures of the appendix and surrounding areas to help diagnose and stage appendicitis:13
Ultrasound: An ultrasound uses sound waves to create images.
—Brandi Jones, Health, 17 May 2025
He was taken to a hospital to be treated for his injuries, which did not initially appear to be life-threatening.
—Jason Green, Mercury News, 16 May 2025
The victim was treated at the scene and taken to an area hospital with injuries not believed to be life-threatening, Priest said.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 16 May 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 27 May. 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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