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
One person suffered potentially life-threatening stab wounds and is in serious condition.
—
Logan Hall, CBS News, 20 Mar. 2026
Two sailors were initially treated for non-life-threatening injuries, with one medically evacuated ashore.
—Munis Raza, Interesting Engineering, 19 Mar. 2026
In a statement to The News, Malaise said Parkland nurses screen people to ensure they are not booked into jail in life-threatening conditions.
—Dallas Morning News, 19 Mar. 2026
The woman was taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries, and police began to process the scene.
—Nathan Pilling
march 17, Kansas City Star, 18 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for life-threatening
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Logan Hall, CBS News, 20 Mar. 2026
Two sailors were initially treated for non-life-threatening injuries, with one medically evacuated ashore.
—Munis Raza, Interesting Engineering, 19 Mar. 2026
In a statement to The News, Malaise said Parkland nurses screen people to ensure they are not booked into jail in life-threatening conditions.
—Dallas Morning News, 19 Mar. 2026
The woman was taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries, and police began to process the scene.
—Nathan Pilling
march 17, Kansas City Star, 18 Mar. 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 22 Mar. 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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