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
Common symptoms include: Fever Muscle aches Headache Stiff neck
Confusion
Loss of balance
Convulsions
Diarrhea
Other gastrointestinal symptoms
Miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery and/or life-threatening infection of newborn infants
Death
Contributing: Fernando Cervantes Jr.
—
Amaris Encinas, USA TODAY, 5 Nov. 2024
These impacts on the cardiovascular system may result in life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias, heart attacks, and cardiac arrest.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024
In pregnant women, the infection can cause miscarriages, stillbirths, premature delivery or life-threatening infection of the newborn.
—Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, 5 Nov. 2024
Stitt warned potential life-threatening conditions will move across the state.
—Robert Shackelford, CNN, 4 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for life-threatening 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Amaris Encinas, USA TODAY, 5 Nov. 2024
These impacts on the cardiovascular system may result in life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias, heart attacks, and cardiac arrest.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024
In pregnant women, the infection can cause miscarriages, stillbirths, premature delivery or life-threatening infection of the newborn.
—Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, 5 Nov. 2024
Stitt warned potential life-threatening conditions will move across the state.
—Robert Shackelford, CNN, 4 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for life-threatening
Dictionary Entries Near life-threatening
Cite this Entry
“Life-threatening.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/life-threatening. Accessed 24 Nov. 2024.
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share