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
Another man was taken to a hospital for non-life-threatening injuries, and a woman was treated at the scene.
—
Dejanay Booth-Singleton, CBS News, 22 Jan. 2026
The victim was left with life-threatening injuries after being repeatedly kicked and punched.
—Jack Perry, The Providence Journal, 22 Jan. 2026
Hypothermia Hypothermia is a life-threatening condition when the body temperature falls below 95 degrees.
—Isa Almeida, Oklahoman, 22 Jan. 2026
When temperatures plunge in Wisconsin, pets left outside face life-threatening risks, including frostbite and hypothermia.
—Quinn Clark, jsonline.com, 22 Jan. 2026
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Dejanay Booth-Singleton, CBS News, 22 Jan. 2026
The victim was left with life-threatening injuries after being repeatedly kicked and punched.
—Jack Perry, The Providence Journal, 22 Jan. 2026
Hypothermia Hypothermia is a life-threatening condition when the body temperature falls below 95 degrees.
—Isa Almeida, Oklahoman, 22 Jan. 2026
When temperatures plunge in Wisconsin, pets left outside face life-threatening risks, including frostbite and hypothermia.
—Quinn Clark, jsonline.com, 22 Jan. 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 30 Jan. 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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