: 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
Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Sep. 2025
The border detention camps Martin consulted contemporary and historic photos of border camps to design the chilling compounds where children and families are held in chain-link fencing pens.
—Pat Saperstein, Variety, 27 Sep. 2025
This can be made the day before serving; in fact, chilling overnight improves the texture.
—Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 27 Sep. 2025
In a chilling case of deception and domestic violence, what appeared to be months of stalking by an ex-boyfriend turned out to be an elaborate scheme orchestrated by a Colorado woman's own husband, culminating in her murder just days before Christmas.
—Doc Louallen, ABC News, 26 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for chilling
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Adjective
Such violence at a place of worship is heartbreaking and chilling.
—Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Sep. 2025
The border detention camps Martin consulted contemporary and historic photos of border camps to design the chilling compounds where children and families are held in chain-link fencing pens.
—Pat Saperstein, Variety, 27 Sep. 2025
This can be made the day before serving; in fact, chilling overnight improves the texture.
—Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 27 Sep. 2025
In a chilling case of deception and domestic violence, what appeared to be months of stalking by an ex-boyfriend turned out to be an elaborate scheme orchestrated by a Colorado woman's own husband, culminating in her murder just days before Christmas.
—Doc Louallen, ABC News, 26 Sep. 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 Sep. 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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