: gravely disturbing or frightening
a chilling case of abuse
chilling
2 of 2present participle of chill entry 3
Examples of chilling in a Sentence
Adjective
a Southern visitor who was unused to the chilling air of a Northeast winter
Recent Examples on the Web
K.j. Yossman, Variety, 8 May 2026
With the ubiquity of artificial intelligence, this revival is a chilling night at the theatre, Helen Shaw writes.
—Austin Elias-De Jesus, New Yorker, 7 May 2026
Those kinds of threats have a chilling effect, both Ziegler and Timmaraju said.
—Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2026
At their most chilling, such beliefs are paired with arguments that women not only are especially natural, but also should stay that way—that modern medicine shouldn’t try to understand or interfere with women’s bodies.
—Andréa Becker, The Atlantic, 3 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for chilling
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Adjective
The dinner scene with Niall’s mum, Lori (Neve McIntosh), and Ruben’s mum, Maura (Marianne McIvor) — when Joanna confronts them over Ruben’s behaviour — is both chilling and cathartic.
—K.j. Yossman, Variety, 8 May 2026
With the ubiquity of artificial intelligence, this revival is a chilling night at the theatre, Helen Shaw writes.
—Austin Elias-De Jesus, New Yorker, 7 May 2026
Those kinds of threats have a chilling effect, both Ziegler and Timmaraju said.
—Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2026
At their most chilling, such beliefs are paired with arguments that women not only are especially natural, but also should stay that way—that modern medicine shouldn’t try to understand or interfere with women’s bodies.
—Andréa Becker, The Atlantic, 3 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for chilling
Cite this Entry
“Chilling.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chilling. Accessed 11 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
chilling
adjective
chill·ing
ˈchil-iŋ 
: very disturbing or frightening
a chilling case of abuse
chillingly
adverb
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