: 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
Erin Qualey, Vulture, 29 May 2026
Bobb believes the dogmatic way lawmakers talk about civics has had a chilling effect.
—Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 29 May 2026
But even here, the broader but less visible trend – chilling effects – is evident.
—Bruce Schneier, The Conversation, 27 May 2026
The homestretch of the drama, however, takes the story in a chilling direction, packing an aching quantity of feeling into a single glance at a security camera as someone climbs into a car and leaves the compound, never to be heard from again.
—Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 26 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for chilling
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Adjective
In a chilling sequence, Dennis ties a garbage bag over Mallory’s head and drags her into the woods.
—Erin Qualey, Vulture, 29 May 2026
Bobb believes the dogmatic way lawmakers talk about civics has had a chilling effect.
—Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 29 May 2026
But even here, the broader but less visible trend – chilling effects – is evident.
—Bruce Schneier, The Conversation, 27 May 2026
The homestretch of the drama, however, takes the story in a chilling direction, packing an aching quantity of feeling into a single glance at a security camera as someone climbs into a car and leaves the compound, never to be heard from again.
—Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 26 May 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 1 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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