: 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
Michelle Del Rey, USA Today, 20 Mar. 2026
Such tactics have a chilling effect that could make people less inclined to come to court or serve as witnesses, critics say.
—Brittny Mejia, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2026
The image shows DiCaprio and Lawrence’s married couple walking hand in hand amid a chilling wintery landscape.
—Zack Sharf, Variety, 19 Mar. 2026
Its owners have noted chilling ill effects after the art’s arrival, like insomnia, nightmares, and a sense of being constantly watched.
—Literary Hub, 19 Mar. 2026
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Adjective
Researchers in France made a chilling discovery earlier this year, finding skeletons buried in a seated position during an excavation at a school.
—Michelle Del Rey, USA Today, 20 Mar. 2026
Such tactics have a chilling effect that could make people less inclined to come to court or serve as witnesses, critics say.
—Brittny Mejia, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2026
The image shows DiCaprio and Lawrence’s married couple walking hand in hand amid a chilling wintery landscape.
—Zack Sharf, Variety, 19 Mar. 2026
Its owners have noted chilling ill effects after the art’s arrival, like insomnia, nightmares, and a sense of being constantly watched.
—Literary Hub, 19 Mar. 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 26 Mar. 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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