: 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
Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2025
The chilling events in The Exorcism of Emily Rose (portrayed by Laura Linney, Campbell Scott, Tom Wilkinson and of course, Jennifer Carpenter in the titular role) are nearly as frightening as the real-life events the film is loosely based on.
—Stephanie Sengwe, PEOPLE, 25 Oct. 2025
Degase said his curiosity about similar crimes led him to uncover chilling parallels.
—Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2025
This ruling is a chilling step toward unchecked government overreach, intruding on the most personal aspects of our private lives.
—Mandy Taheri, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for chilling
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Adjective
This 32-foot-tall sculpture with flaming red eyes has alarmed travelers for decades, but the story of its creation is even more chilling.
—Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2025
The chilling events in The Exorcism of Emily Rose (portrayed by Laura Linney, Campbell Scott, Tom Wilkinson and of course, Jennifer Carpenter in the titular role) are nearly as frightening as the real-life events the film is loosely based on.
—Stephanie Sengwe, PEOPLE, 25 Oct. 2025
Degase said his curiosity about similar crimes led him to uncover chilling parallels.
—Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2025
This ruling is a chilling step toward unchecked government overreach, intruding on the most personal aspects of our private lives.
—Mandy Taheri, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for chilling
Cite this Entry
“Chilling.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chilling. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
chilling
adjective
chill·ing
ˈchil-iŋ 
: very disturbing or frightening
a chilling case of abuse
chillingly
adverb
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