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
The boy’s injuries were reportedly severe, but did not appear to be life-threatening, according to the outlet.
—
Kimberlee Speakman, People.com, 22 June 2025
Paramedics transported the driver to a hospital with life-threatening injuries.
—Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 21 June 2025
The day the Egyptian authorities failed to release Alaa, his mother, the formidable Dr. Laila Soueif, announced a decision that could prove to be both life-changing and life-threatening.
—Margaret Busby
june 20, Literary Hub, 20 June 2025
The storm had strengthened to a Category 4 early on the morning of June 19, but weakened ahead of landfall, though it was still expected to bring intense rain and cause potentially life-threatening landslides.
—Aida Pelaez-Fernandez, USA Today, 20 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for life-threatening
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Kimberlee Speakman, People.com, 22 June 2025
Paramedics transported the driver to a hospital with life-threatening injuries.
—Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 21 June 2025
The day the Egyptian authorities failed to release Alaa, his mother, the formidable Dr. Laila Soueif, announced a decision that could prove to be both life-changing and life-threatening.
—Margaret Busby
june 20, Literary Hub, 20 June 2025
The storm had strengthened to a Category 4 early on the morning of June 19, but weakened ahead of landfall, though it was still expected to bring intense rain and cause potentially life-threatening landslides.
—Aida Pelaez-Fernandez, USA Today, 20 June 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 30 Jun. 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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