chilling

1 of 2

adjective

chill·​ing ˈchi-liŋ 

: gravely disturbing or frightening

a chilling case of abuse

chillingly

ˈchi-liŋ-lē 

adverb

chilling

2 of 2

present participle of chill entry 3

Synonyms of chilling

Adjective

• chilly
• chill
• bleak
• bitter
• cold

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

Adjective

Wrap each disk in 2 layers of plastic and freeze instead of chilling. — Shilpa Uskokovic, Bon Appetit Magazine, 1 Nov. 2026

This is true of the remake as well, but LaBute’s changes to Cage’s character, and his addition of a personal connection to the island, add a chilling dimension the original lacks. — Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 30 Oct. 2026

That has had a chilling effect on immigrant communities living in the state according to Gabriela Ramirez-Perez, the immigration and economic security policy analyst with the Oklahoma Policy Institute, a think tank that analyzes state policy. — Jaclyn Diaz, NPR, 28 Oct. 2026

Officers conducting a routine security screening at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) uncovered a chilling object that seemed straight out of a horror movie. — Jessica Mekles, FOXNews.com, 28 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1815, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing chilling

• bone-chilling
• spine-chilling

Rhymes for chilling

• billing
• drilling
• filling
• grilling
• killing
• milling
• pilling
• rilling
• schilling
• shilling
• skilling
• spilling

Kids Definition

chilling

adjective

chill·​ing ˈchil-iŋ 

: very disturbing or frightening

a chilling case of abuse

chillingly adverb