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 injuries were not life-threatening, officials said.
—
Arkansas Online, 29 May 2025
Read Next National 11-year-old in hospital for weeks with life-threatening flu.
—Mike Stunson, Kansas City Star, 29 May 2025
One is sepsis — a life-threatening infection that can cause a fever.
—Gabrielle Emanuel, NPR, 28 May 2025
Paramedics took him to Broward Health Medical Center, where his condition is serious but not life-threatening.
Fireboats from Fort Lauderdale and Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue arrived to put out the boat fire, which took about 30 to 40 minutes to extinguish, Guzman said.
—Shira Moolten, Sun Sentinel, 28 May 2025
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Arkansas Online, 29 May 2025
Read Next National 11-year-old in hospital for weeks with life-threatening flu.
—Mike Stunson, Kansas City Star, 29 May 2025
One is sepsis — a life-threatening infection that can cause a fever.
—Gabrielle Emanuel, NPR, 28 May 2025
Paramedics took him to Broward Health Medical Center, where his condition is serious but not life-threatening.
Fireboats from Fort Lauderdale and Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue arrived to put out the boat fire, which took about 30 to 40 minutes to extinguish, Guzman said.
—Shira Moolten, Sun Sentinel, 28 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 8 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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