as in chilly
uncomfortably cool
a Southern visitor who was unused to the chilling air of a Northeast winter
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in freezing
to cause to lose heat
chill the gelatin for two hours, until it sets
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in relaxing
to get rid of nervous tension or anxiety
you want to hang out with us and just chill this weekend?
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in discouraging
to lessen the courage or confidence of
investors chilled by the floundering economy
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in lounging
to spend time doing nothing
instead of going out tonight, let's stay in and chill
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of chilling
Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 3 July 2025
This settlement follows a similar $15 million settlement between ABC News and Trump in 2024, raising concerns about potential chilling effects on journalism.
—Bill Goodykoontz, AZCentral.com, 2 July 2025
With the two events happening a couple days apart, Nashville community organizers said these threats have compounded and had a chilling effect on some Antioch High families' willingness to seek out support or publicly share their stories and process their grief.
—Liam Adams, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025
Kentucky's Senate Joint Resolution 55, while aiming to combat antisemitism, has raised concerns about potential chilling effects on free speech.
—Killian Baarlaer, The Courier-Journal, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for chilling
Adjective
Rahmani says the outcome of Combs’ very high-profile trial will likely have a chilling effect on the willingness of other victims and prosecutors to move forward with other cases.
—Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 3 July 2025
This settlement follows a similar $15 million settlement between ABC News and Trump in 2024, raising concerns about potential chilling effects on journalism.
—Bill Goodykoontz, AZCentral.com, 2 July 2025
With the two events happening a couple days apart, Nashville community organizers said these threats have compounded and had a chilling effect on some Antioch High families' willingness to seek out support or publicly share their stories and process their grief.
—Liam Adams, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025
Kentucky's Senate Joint Resolution 55, while aiming to combat antisemitism, has raised concerns about potential chilling effects on free speech.
—Killian Baarlaer, The Courier-Journal, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for chilling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for chilling
Adjective
-
That’s still chilly, but remember the greenhouse effect: there is a lot of frozen methane and carbon dioxide on Pluto, so these ices can vaporize and possibly provide enough thermal retention to make the tiny world at least somewhat comfortable, if not exactly habitable.—
Phil Plait,
Scientific American,
3 July 2025
-
On sale for $79, it can be worn on chilly flights, tossed over a dress on cooler evenings, or paired with leggings for a casual travel day look.—
Anne Taylor,
Travel + Leisure,
2 July 2025
Verb
-
Birth tissue-products are stored at below freezing temperatures to retain their viability and effectiveness and are also shipped in special containers.—
Michelle Marchante,
Miami Herald,
24 Mar. 2025
-
She was heavily criticized for being out of the country when the fire exploded amid dire wind warnings and for freezing up when confronted by press about her absence.—
Julia Wick,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
In , the small cat curiously edged toward the new canine friend, who was relaxing on the couch, gently patting him with her paw and sniffing.—
Alice Gibbs,
Newsweek,
26 Dec. 2024
-
And to add to the messy situation, conflicting media reports suggest the company either is or is not relaxing its hardware hurdle for taking.—
Zak Doffman,
Forbes,
26 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Good air circulation will allow leaves and stems to dry out, discouraging disease.—
Beth Botts,
Chicago Tribune,
12 Apr. 2025
-
Actions by officials in the two countries are also discouraging Canadian tourists from looking south.—
Skyler Swisher,
The Orlando Sentinel,
12 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Those include a sitting area off the primary bedroom, a dining table on the narrow part of the deck, a patio outfitted for entertaining, and multiple options for lounging by the pool.—
Betsy Cribb Watson,
Southern Living,
13 Apr. 2025
-
The Modern Family alum could be seen lounging while wearing black bikini bottoms and holding a product from her Toty suncare brand.—
Brenton Blanchet,
People.com,
13 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Navigate through the shop aisle to the breezy oceanfront dining room in the back, set on a surprisingly chill stretch of sand.—
Carley Rojas Avila,
Travel + Leisure,
12 July 2025
-
While the small town of Kailua-Kona can be bustling during the summer months, the Big Island is typically chill.—
Will McGough,
Forbes.com,
17 June 2025
Verb
-
Changing the direction of ceiling fans can help reduce heating costs in winter and lower cooling costs in summer.—
Melissa Locker,
Southern Living,
4 Jan. 2025
-
Turn the cakes out onto cooling racks.—
The Enquirer,
The Enquirer,
3 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Place the terracotta pot upside down over the tea lights, resting on the bricks.—
Cody Godwin,
USA TODAY,
7 Jan. 2025
-
With this new year, consider planning some fresh ways to cater to your creativity—and lean in to the importance of resting.—
Essence,
Essence,
7 Jan. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Chilling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chilling. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share