life-altering

American  

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

adjective

1. 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.

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Other Word Forms

• life-alteringly
  adverb

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

life-altering

"Since the attack, Assi has campaigned for justice for Abdallah's killing, advocated for journalist safety, and supported a rehabilitation program for people with similar life-altering injuries."

From Barron's ● Aug. 5, 2026

"Badly designed electricals can have life-altering - even fatal - consequences," said head of consumer protection Sue Davies.

From BBC ● Jul. 28, 2026

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

Prism of Gloom, where even a non-setback setback must be considered as a possible life-altering crisis.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 26, 2026

Dear Diary, When we began our lesson about the importance of racial tolerance, I had no idea that that lesson would be a life-altering experience.

From "The Freedom Writers Diary" by The Freedom Writers