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.
About 15% of people who contract the yellow fever virus will develop severe, potentially life-threatening symptoms requiring medical treatment. Sarah Bradley, Health, 21 Nov. 2024 Some injuries, none life-threatening At least 10 people were injured, most from smoke inhalation, but there were no reports of life-threatening injuries or deaths so far, Ventura County Sheriff Jim Fryhoff said. Jorge L. Ortiz, USA TODAY, 21 Nov. 2024 Most infected people get better on their own in five to 10 days, but 5% to 10% of people can develop a life-threatening condition that most commonly impacts children and the elderly. Mary Whitfill Roeloffs, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024 Forecasters said flooding from powerful back-to-back storm systems could be life-threatening for parts of the West Coast, and warned those conditions were expected to continue through the end of the week. CBS News, 20 Nov. 2024 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

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 30 Nov. 2024.

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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