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
But these are anecdotal reports and may not reflect instances in which people have side effects or complications like low blood sugar, which can be life-threatening.
—
Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 9 Apr. 2025
Millions of residents and visitors across Florida are under advisories this week as rip current risks surge along the state's Gulf and Atlantic coasts, prompting warnings of life-threatening ocean conditions from the National Weather Service (NWS).
—Raja Krishnamoorthi, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Apr. 2025
The Police Department in an update to social media just before 9 p.m. said the victims’ injuries were not life-threatening.
—Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 9 Apr. 2025
Experts say parental kidnappings are significantly more common than those committed by strangers, and living the life of a fugitive can have long-term or even life-threatening consequences for kids.
—N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 30 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for life-threatening
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Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 9 Apr. 2025
Millions of residents and visitors across Florida are under advisories this week as rip current risks surge along the state's Gulf and Atlantic coasts, prompting warnings of life-threatening ocean conditions from the National Weather Service (NWS).
—Raja Krishnamoorthi, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Apr. 2025
The Police Department in an update to social media just before 9 p.m. said the victims’ injuries were not life-threatening.
—Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 9 Apr. 2025
Experts say parental kidnappings are significantly more common than those committed by strangers, and living the life of a fugitive can have long-term or even life-threatening consequences for kids.
—N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 30 Mar. 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 15 Apr. 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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