: 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
Kara Fox, CNN Money, 6 Sep. 2025
Wan’s eye for spooky set pieces is even sharper here; The Conjuring 2 boasts the most chilling scene in the franchise.
—Emily Palmer Heller, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2025
Over time, exposure to the elements has left the dolls dirty and worn, with peeling paint on their faces, tattered clothing, missing eyes, and no hair, creating a chilling and eerie atmosphere.
—Natalia Cano, Billboard, 4 Sep. 2025
Deaf writer/director Ted Evans is making his chilling feature debut with Retreat, having its world premiere at the 50th Toronto International Film Festival.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 4 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for chilling
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Adjective
Civil liberties campaigners across Britain and beyond swiftly condemned the designation, warning that applying terrorism laws to such a group risks chilling free speech and assembly, while also setting a dangerous precedent for protest rights.
—Kara Fox, CNN Money, 6 Sep. 2025
Wan’s eye for spooky set pieces is even sharper here; The Conjuring 2 boasts the most chilling scene in the franchise.
—Emily Palmer Heller, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2025
Over time, exposure to the elements has left the dolls dirty and worn, with peeling paint on their faces, tattered clothing, missing eyes, and no hair, creating a chilling and eerie atmosphere.
—Natalia Cano, Billboard, 4 Sep. 2025
Deaf writer/director Ted Evans is making his chilling feature debut with Retreat, having its world premiere at the 50th Toronto International Film Festival.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 4 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 9 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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