as in chilly
uncomfortably cool
a Southern visitor who was unused to the chilling air of a Northeast winter
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in freezing
to cause to lose heat
chill the gelatin for two hours, until it sets
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in relaxing
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 discouraging
to lessen the courage or confidence of
investors chilled by the floundering economy
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4
as in lounging
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 chilling
Lexi Carson, HollywoodReporter, 16 May 2026
There’s probably a smart, chilling film to be made about the terrors of smothering and relentless adoration — one imagines what Rod Serling would have done with something like this — but this isn’t really that film.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 15 May 2026
David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 16 May 2026
Chill until ready to use (cover if chilling for longer than 30 minutes).
—Claire Saffitz, Bon Appetit Magazine, 12 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for chilling
Adjective
As Nikki transforms from an ordinary young woman into an unhinged force willing to do anything to keep Bear to herself, Navarrette delivers a seamless and chilling performance that has quickly positioned her as one of horror’s most exciting new talents.
—Lexi Carson, HollywoodReporter, 16 May 2026
There’s probably a smart, chilling film to be made about the terrors of smothering and relentless adoration — one imagines what Rod Serling would have done with something like this — but this isn’t really that film.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 15 May 2026
Verb
The spiral of menace is breathtaking as Gary continues to dig them in deeper with his misplaced confidence and reckless moves, and a bone-chilling warning left in the dead of night forces Irwin to bring Hester up to date.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 16 May 2026
Chill until ready to use (cover if chilling for longer than 30 minutes).
—Claire Saffitz, Bon Appetit Magazine, 12 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for chilling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for chilling
Adjective
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Each of these casserole ideas starts with ground beef, which is hearty, filling, warm, and perfectly cozy for chilly winter months.—
Alana Al-Hatlani,
Southern Living,
22 May 2026
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This photograph, captured on May 6, 2026, shows the mountains covered in snow as clouds loom above the chilly landscape.—
Chelsea Gohd,
Space.com,
20 May 2026
Verb
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Once trapped, the ions are reduced to a ground state through lasers, similar to what freezing them at absolute zero achieves.—
Aldo Svaldi,
Mercury News,
19 May 2026
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But don't stick the bottle in the garden shed where it will be subjected to freezing.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
19 May 2026
Verb
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Your visit can be a camping or glamping trip or a relaxing resort vacation.—
Patricia Doherty,
Travel + Leisure,
24 May 2026
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The experience is relaxing yet addictive.—
Jason Bennett,
Arkansas Online,
24 May 2026
Verb
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That threat was clearly aimed at discouraging the West from allowing Ukraine to strike Russia with longer-range weapons and appears to significantly lower the threshold for the possible use of Russia’s nuclear arsenal.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
19 May 2026
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If an override did occur and was reversed by a manager who trusted the system's track record, the structure is actively discouraging the judgment it was built to include.—
Tiffany Archer,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2026
Verb
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These palazzo pants are the sleek solution to looking put-together at the airport, walking around a new city, lounging by the pool, and more without sacrificing comfort.—
Clara McMahon,
PEOPLE,
13 May 2026
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The video opens with Earle lounging by the beach, basking in the sun.—
Kaleigh Werner,
Footwear News,
13 May 2026
Adjective
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This whiskey was made from the same mashbill, aged for a full decade, and bottled at 100 proof without chill filtration to preserve maximum flavor.—
Jonah Flicker,
Robb Report,
22 May 2026
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Those seated in the gunner or engineer positions will also be treated to additional clips of Grogu via their adjacent flight panels, the young alien here portrayed as something of a playful pet of a child who is exaggeratedly chill during the commotion.—
Todd Martens,
Los Angeles Times,
21 May 2026
Verb
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The new model offers up to 20% higher cooling performance compared to last year’s release, which means the cooling plate can go an extra 2 degrees Celsius (X degrees Fahrenheit) colder than before.—
David Phelan,
Forbes.com,
24 May 2026
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Even cities like Paris have plenty of options for cooling off in summer, from swimming in the Seine to Emily in Paris famous pools like Molitor (plan to spend a full day and lunch at the panoramic rooftop restaurant).—
Lane Nieset,
Travel + Leisure,
24 May 2026
Verb
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The documentary’s contradiction is right there, enthralling us with the wild achievements Potter pulled off and frustrating us with his bombast, leading us to ponder whether, as The Dark Wizard suggests, either could exist without the other.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
7 May 2026
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Mack and the Chargers’ defense pressured quarterbacks Jalen Hurts of the Eagles and Patrick Mahomes of the Chiefs, frustrating them and keeping them out of their comfort zones.—
Elliott Teaford,
Oc Register,
20 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Chilling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chilling. Accessed 26 May. 2026.
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