1
as in icy
lacking in friendliness or warmth of feeling
were met with a chill gaze when they arrived home late from the party
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in chilling
uncomfortably cool
this chill weather is making my teeth chatter
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3
as in cold
having a low or subnormal temperature
no one should be coatless on a chill night as this
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4
as in dark
causing or marked by an atmosphere lacking in cheer
the house's design may be cutting-edge, but it has a chill sterility about it that is anything but homey
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as in chilliness
an uncomfortable degree of coolness
there's a chill in the air, so you'd better wear a sweater
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1
as in to freeze
to cause to lose heat
chill the gelatin for two hours, until it sets
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2
as in to relax
to get rid of nervous tension or anxiety
you want to hang out with us and just chill this weekend?
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3
as in to discourage
to lessen the courage or confidence of
investors chilled by the floundering economy
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4
as in to lazy
to spend time doing nothing
instead of going out tonight, let's stay in and chill
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of chill
Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 12 Mar. 2026
How To Prune Blueberry Bushes Blueberries need a number of chill hours below 45ºF during dormancy to prompt new growth and flower development for next season.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 10 Mar. 2026
Nicole Hernandez, USA Today, 25 Mar. 2026
An extreme cold watch is issued when dangerously cold air temperatures or wind chill values are possible.
—Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 25 Mar. 2026
Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 25 Mar. 2026
Microsoft wrote that a ban on Anthropic would hurt its own business, and could chill future defense-industry investment and engagement with AI.
—Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 25 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for chill
Adjective
Temperature Blueberry production is dependent on chill hours, says Putnam.
—Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 12 Mar. 2026
How To Prune Blueberry Bushes Blueberries need a number of chill hours below 45ºF during dormancy to prompt new growth and flower development for next season.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 10 Mar. 2026
Noun
For example, if someone also has systemic symptoms (like fever and chills), these color changes could signal an infection.
—Nicole Hernandez, USA Today, 25 Mar. 2026
An extreme cold watch is issued when dangerously cold air temperatures or wind chill values are possible.
—Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 25 Mar. 2026
Verb
Thankfully, Janus Films will release Kurosawa’s bone-chilling short at IFC Center in New York City starting this weekend.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 25 Mar. 2026
Microsoft wrote that a ban on Anthropic would hurt its own business, and could chill future defense-industry investment and engagement with AI.
—Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 25 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for chill
Recent Examples of Synonyms for chill
Adjective
-
Ladytron willed themselves into existence some 25 years ago, writing their names in the residue of icy-hot heroes like Kraftwerk, Soft Cell, and Gina X.—
Jesse Dorris,
Pitchfork,
2 Apr. 2026
-
This matter is the result of gases emitted by the Saturnian moons, particularly Enceladus, which is known to spray out icy plumes that originate from its subsurface ocean.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
In previous interviews with USA TODAY, experts said the FCC's action could have a chilling effect on television broadcasters’ speech.—
BrieAnna J. Frank,
USA Today,
26 Mar. 2026
-
The perils of late-stage capitalism and the swerve away from Antihero TV toward toxic yuri make Galsworthy’s chilling protagonist Soames Forsyte quite difficult to root for, really.—
Sarah Shachat,
IndieWire,
23 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Cover loosely with plastic wrap and chill until filling is set and cake is cold, at least 2 hours and up to 1 day.—
Shilpa Uskokovic,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Baristas sprinkled shredded phyllo dough over top heaps of cold foam.—
Jenna Thompson
April 1,
Kansas City Star,
1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
On the last night that anybody else reportedly saw Nancy, that camera caught a glimpse of a person clad in dark clothes, wearing gloves and a black balaclava, unidentifiable, standing at the threshold.—
Vinson Cunningham,
New Yorker,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Not only did that article form the basis of the film, but Lumet actually took the note and cast Pacino in the role of that dark, thin fellow.—
Chris Jones,
New York Daily News,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Kenny Burgos, the CEO of the New York Apartment Association, a landlord lobbying group, said Mamdani’s tenant proposals — including freezing the rent for regulated tenants — would force landlords to cut back on maintenance and services.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Right now, the city has paused hiring and spending at Boston Public Schools due to the budget gap there, and a city spokesperson told the Herald in a statement that the mayor is freezing spending to address the city’s shortfall.—
Boston Herald editorial staff,
Boston Herald,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Meditation exercises can set the stage for a good night’s sleep, and an inexpensive noise machine can help with relaxing sounds.—
Sharon Basaraba,
Verywell Health,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Following the ride, we were treated to a charcuterie spread, champagne and a campfire to unwind and relax after our outing on the trails.—
Patrick Connolly,
The Orlando Sentinel,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Mention cutting toxic people out of your life (but don’t reveal that the people in question are your friends who, at lunch, discouraged you from posting that).—
Emily Menez,
New Yorker,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Within days, China’s surprise intervention in the deal quickly shattered that hope, as Beijing stepped up efforts to discourage Chinese AI founders from moving their businesses offshore.—
Dylan Butts,
CNBC,
30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Some parts of the nation are in for a chilly few days, but soon nearly everywhere will feel like spring — or summer.—
Doyle Rice,
USA Today,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Hours later, those fans sat bundled up in rainy, chilly conditions as a power outage hit parts of downtown Minneapolis, affecting Target Field.—
Betsy Helfand,
Twin Cities,
3 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Chill.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chill. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
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