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.

Not every situation is life-threatening, but most that Klugo encountered in school required self-advocacy.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 11, 2026

Please continue to call 999 in a life-threatening emergency.

From BBC • Jun. 4, 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

While there were exceptions, such as “a life-threatening physical condition aggravated by, caused by, or arising from a pregnancy,” exactly how and when such an exception would be honored were unclear.

From Salon • May 26, 2026

Whenever Keisha showed worrisome symptoms, the Merritts acted as if it was a life-threatening emergency, which made me feel left out.

From "Three Little Words: A Memoir" by Ashley Rhodes-Courter