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.
Police said that 17 people were hurt, several with life-threatening injuries, and that a motive was still being investigated.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 26, 2026
They said a 19-year-old driver was taken to hospital to be treated for "non life-threatening" injuries, while a second passenger declined help at the scene.
From BBC ● Jul. 22, 2026
Clough had several telemedicine followups with her Houston doctor, which was legal under California law that allows interstate telemedicine for patients with life-threatening conditions.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 18, 2026
It is generally not life-threatening, but can cause dehydration.
From Barron's ● Jul. 17, 2026
But my illnesses have been minor and not life-threatening.
From "Counting by 7s" by Holly Goldberg Sloan
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
