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 man was taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, and was in critical but stable condition, according to Fort Worth police.
—
Ciara McCarthy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Dec. 2025
After months of struggling to breathe, he was hospitalized with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), a life-threatening condition that left him in a coma for 16 days.
—CNN Money, 13 Dec. 2025
He was taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries, police said.
—Jose R. Gonzalez, AZCentral.com, 13 Dec. 2025
The product could cause adverse health consequences—including life-threatening infections—in people with weakened immune systems.
—Jenna Anderson, Health, 12 Dec. 2025
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Ciara McCarthy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Dec. 2025
After months of struggling to breathe, he was hospitalized with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), a life-threatening condition that left him in a coma for 16 days.
—CNN Money, 13 Dec. 2025
He was taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries, police said.
—Jose R. Gonzalez, AZCentral.com, 13 Dec. 2025
The product could cause adverse health consequences—including life-threatening infections—in people with weakened immune systems.
—Jenna Anderson, Health, 12 Dec. 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 17 Dec. 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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