life-threatening

[lahyf-thret-ning, -thret-n-ing] / ˈlaɪfˌθrɛt nɪŋ, -ˌθrɛt n ɪŋ /

ADJECTIVE

very dangerous

Synonyms

STRONGEST

deadly lethal mortal serious severe

WEAK

capital critical hazardous threatening touch and go unsafe

Antonyms

STRONGEST

harmless invigorating

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.

Days later, he ended up in an emergency room, where medical testing later confirmed an E. coli infection that resulted in a life-threatening kidney complication, according to his attorney.

From Los Angeles Times • May 31, 2026

"If these findings are confirmed in Phase III trials, we may finally be able to offer patients a targeted therapy that halts and potentially reverses liver damage before it progresses to life-threatening stages."

From Science Daily • May 27, 2026

“If I don’t do what’s medically indicated in a potentially life-threatening situation, then I am liable for neglect. Why isn’t this the same thing?”

From Salon • May 27, 2026

As in the US, police can ask for disclosures to be expedited for life-threatening circumstances.

From BBC • May 22, 2026

Our mind, faced with a life-threatening situation, drastically limits the range and amount of information that we have to deal with.

From "Blink" by Malcolm Gladwell