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.
She was transported to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center with life-threatening injuries. David Ferrara, The Enquirer, 29 July 2025 The potentially life-threatening heat and humidity are expected to continue across the eastern half of the country through Wednesday. Kyle Reiman, ABC News, 27 July 2025 Officers were notified of a man who had arrived in a private vehicle to a Kansas City hospital around 11:57 p.m. Sunday with a life-threatening gunshot wound. Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 26 July 2025 Sure, who had recently survived a life-threatening illness, hinted that more revelations were forthcoming in his memoir. Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 15 July 2025 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

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Cite this Entry

“Life-threatening.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/life-threatening. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.

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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