life-threatening
Americanadjective
Explanation
Something life-threatening is seriously dangerous, and it might even result in death. If someone has a life-threatening illness, it's severe enough that they may need to be hospitalized. You can reassure your mom about the injuries you got when you were hiking up a mountain by saying, "Don't worry, my sprained ankle isn't life-threatening." In other words, it's not going to kill you. Things that are more likely to be life-threatening include cancer, bad head injuries, and run-ins with grizzly bears — they can indeed threaten your life.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“These waves, combined with an incoming long-period southerly swell, will cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions,” the National Hurricane Center said.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 11, 2026
Authorities told local media that the 17-year-old injured on Saturday had been taken to hospital, but her condition is not life-threatening.
From BBC ● Oct. 10, 2026
Hurricane Isaias made landfall near Destin, Fla., Friday night, bringing heavy rains, damaging winds and the possibility of life-threatening flooding to the region.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 10, 2026
A storm surge warning, which brings the danger of "life-threatening inundation," was in effect for the mouth of the Mississippi River to the Suwannee River, it said.
From Barron's ● Oct. 9, 2026
Between the two of us, Bobby Gene and I had been in our share of fights around the playground, but nothing life-threatening.
From "The Season of Styx Malone" by Kekla Magoon
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