: 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
Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 22 May 2026
The coroner’s report is chilling, listing multiple factors besides cardiac arrest that figured in her death.
—Christopher Bonanos, Curbed, 22 May 2026
This dynamic creates a measurable chilling effect on adoption.
—Raghav Ramabadran, Forbes.com, 20 May 2026
During last 30 minutes of chilling, stir together strawberries and remaining 2 tablespoons sugar in a medium bowl.
—Erin Merhar, Southern Living, 18 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for chilling
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Adjective
One year before his television empire began with Yellowstone, Taylor Sheridan wrote and directed this absorbing neo-Western mystery about the chilling death of an 18-year-old Native American young woman.
—Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 22 May 2026
The coroner’s report is chilling, listing multiple factors besides cardiac arrest that figured in her death.
—Christopher Bonanos, Curbed, 22 May 2026
This dynamic creates a measurable chilling effect on adoption.
—Raghav Ramabadran, Forbes.com, 20 May 2026
During last 30 minutes of chilling, stir together strawberries and remaining 2 tablespoons sugar in a medium bowl.
—Erin Merhar, Southern Living, 18 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 27 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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