life-altering

American

[lahyf-awl-ter-ing] / ˈlaɪfˌɔl tər ɪŋ /

adjective

resulting in a major and usually negative or challenging change in one's life (typically used of an injury, diagnosis, or the like.). Compare life-changing.

Other Word Forms

life-alteringly

adverb

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.

But the life-altering event comes not in the form of fulfilling her life’s dream, but as an unexpected cancer diagnosis, handed to her just as she’s scheduled to wrap production on her short.

From Salon • Jun. 29, 2026

The life-altering fortunes will require navigating if and when to sell shares, and the strategic alternatives.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 11, 2026

As I struggled with my confusion, I did something that sounds simple, but was profoundly life-altering: I diversified my news sources.

From Salon • Jun. 8, 2026

The MIB said someone in the UK was affected by uninsured or hit-and-run drivers every 20 minutes, with one person each day suffering life-altering injuries.

From BBC • Apr. 17, 2026

Mom: "Her face. Can you get her back to—" Doc cuts her off: "No. You can't think that way. This is a life-altering event."

From "Burning Blue" by Paul Griffin

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023