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
Some medications and supplements can have serious, even life-threatening, interactions.
—
Alyssa Hui-Anderson, Verywell Health, 31 Oct. 2024
But some can cause mild to life-threatening gastrointestinal illnesses if consumed, the CDC says.
—James Powel, USA TODAY, 31 Oct. 2024
Pertussis can lead to serious, life-threatening complications, especially in babies younger than 1 year old, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
—Aaron Valdez, The Enquirer, 30 Oct. 2024
However, Jones always intended for the work to be about life-threatening illnesses more broadly — about HIV/AIDS, yes, but also about breast cancer and cystic fibrosis, too.
—Michael Cuby, Them, 29 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for life-threatening 
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Alyssa Hui-Anderson, Verywell Health, 31 Oct. 2024
But some can cause mild to life-threatening gastrointestinal illnesses if consumed, the CDC says.
—James Powel, USA TODAY, 31 Oct. 2024
Pertussis can lead to serious, life-threatening complications, especially in babies younger than 1 year old, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
—Aaron Valdez, The Enquirer, 30 Oct. 2024
However, Jones always intended for the work to be about life-threatening illnesses more broadly — about HIV/AIDS, yes, but also about breast cancer and cystic fibrosis, too.
—Michael Cuby, Them, 29 Oct. 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 14 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
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