: 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
Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 6 June 2026
The attack comes as the NYPD investigates a troubling string of chilling assaults against older New Yorkers.
—Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 5 June 2026
Without wishing to give away the ending of a real-life case finally resolved in 2008, the information disclosed is anger-inducing and the unresponsive, unemotional demeanor of the perpetrator truly chilling.
—Jon O'Brien, IndieWire, 3 June 2026
The role of chilling drug kingpin Marlo Stanfield was Jamie Hector's breakthrough.
—Derek Lawrence, Entertainment Weekly, 2 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for chilling
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Adjective
Add crushed ice about halfway up and give a brief stir or swizzle, five to eight seconds, to begin the chilling process.
—Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 6 June 2026
The attack comes as the NYPD investigates a troubling string of chilling assaults against older New Yorkers.
—Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 5 June 2026
Without wishing to give away the ending of a real-life case finally resolved in 2008, the information disclosed is anger-inducing and the unresponsive, unemotional demeanor of the perpetrator truly chilling.
—Jon O'Brien, IndieWire, 3 June 2026
The role of chilling drug kingpin Marlo Stanfield was Jamie Hector's breakthrough.
—Derek Lawrence, Entertainment Weekly, 2 June 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 10 Jun. 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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