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
It is considered a serious condition and can be dangerous or life-threatening, especially to older adults, people with weak immune systems and pregnant people.
—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA TODAY, 23 Feb. 2025
The victim, whose injuries are not life-threatening, was identified as a 30-year-old Spanish tourist, according to The Associated Press.
—Brie Stimson, Fox News, 22 Feb. 2025
Pope Francis' condition remains serious but not life-threatening, his medical team reported Friday evening, as the 88-year-old pontiff marked a week in the hospital battling pneumonia alongside chronic bronchitis.
—Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 22 Feb. 2025
Botulism, a rare but serious illness, can be life-threatening, making this recall particularly concerning.
—Stephanie Gravalese, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2025
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.
Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA TODAY, 23 Feb. 2025
The victim, whose injuries are not life-threatening, was identified as a 30-year-old Spanish tourist, according to The Associated Press.
—Brie Stimson, Fox News, 22 Feb. 2025
Pope Francis' condition remains serious but not life-threatening, his medical team reported Friday evening, as the 88-year-old pontiff marked a week in the hospital battling pneumonia alongside chronic bronchitis.
—Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 22 Feb. 2025
Botulism, a rare but serious illness, can be life-threatening, making this recall particularly concerning.
—Stephanie Gravalese, Forbes, 21 Feb. 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 3 Mar. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share