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.

As well as needing help to breathe, he was found to have a life-threatening illness affecting his intestines.

From BBC

Like other flight crew who have developed life-threatening diseases, Baird doesn’t have definitive proof that aircraft fumes caused it.

From The Wall Street Journal

Newborns are at risk for necrotizing enterocolitis, a life-threatening inflammation of the intestine that virtually only affects new babies, according to the National Library of Medicine.

From Los Angeles Times

Before they left Ohio, Barnes’ blood sugar spiked to life-threatening levels, she suffered a heart attack and was hospitalized for several days, according to public records.

From The Wall Street Journal

"As always, use A&E & 999 for life-threatening conditions and serious injuries."

From BBC