life-threatening

adjective

life-threat·​en·​ing ˈlīf-ˌthre-tᵊn-iŋ How to pronounce life-threatening (audio)
-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
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.
Both were pronounced dead at the scene, the highway patrol said, with a third victim flown to a hospital with life-threatening injuries. — Frank Landymore, Futurism, 2 July 2026 None of the injuries are life-threatening and one of the injured has been discharged from the hospital, the government statement said. — Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026 They were then taken to a local hospital with apparently non-life-threatening injuries. — Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 July 2026 One of the e-bike riders, a juvenile boy, was taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries and died shortly thereafter, the release said. — Rose Evans, Idaho Statesman, 3 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for life-threatening

Word History

First Known Use

1759, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of life-threatening was in 1759

Browse Nearby Words

life table
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lifetime
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Cite this Entry

“Life-threatening.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/life-threatening. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Medical Definition

life-threatening

adjective
life-threat·​en·​ing ˈlīf-ˌthret-ən-iŋ How to pronounce life-threatening (audio)
: capable of causing death : potentially fatal
life-threatening injuries
a life-threatening allergic reaction
life-threatening arrhythmia
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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