chilling 1 of 2

adjective

ˈchi-liŋ How to pronounce chilling (audio)
Definition of chillingnext
as in chilly
uncomfortably cool a Southern visitor who was unused to the chilling air of a Northeast winter

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chilling

2 of 2

verb

present participle of chill
1
as in freezing
to cause to lose heat chill the gelatin for two hours, until it sets

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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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of chilling
Adjective
Hollywood has been taking on stories set in this world or connected — think the most chilling example, the still incredibly influential 1941 masterpiece Citizen Kane — forever. — Pete Hammond, Deadline, 2 Sep. 2026 Critics say Wong’s case showed the authorities’ determination to silence prominent dissidents, chilling civic activism. — ABC News, 1 Sep. 2026
Verb
This isn’t André 3000’s first time chilling with Scoob and the gang. — Bethy Squires, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026 While safety and code compliance matter, treating high-profile participants with escalating six-figure penalties risks chilling the very partners that amplify San Diego’s largest annual economic event. — U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for chilling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for chilling
  1. chilly
  2. freezing
  3. relaxing
  4. discouraging
  5. lounging
  6. chill
  7. cooling
  8. frustrating
Adjective
  • The Vuori Women’s Sedona Pullover Hoodie is cropped and crafted from super-soft French terry, while the Vuori Women’s Alltheform Fitness Jacket is the perfect moisture-wicking layer for chilly morning runs.
    — Sophie Dodd, Travel + Leisure, 3 Sep. 2026
  • The thick knit has rib detailing throughout the sweater, and the material is breathable to work for chilly days and nights.
    — Rachel Trujillo, PEOPLE, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of chilly
Verb
  • Related Stop Mold Growth Even if no pests are visible, freezing also halts mold growth, which is often what attracts bugs like booklice.
    — Lauren Bengtson, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Sep. 2026
  • In Zone 5, make sure to mulch it for the winter to protect the roots against freezing temperatures.
    — Nadia Hassani, The Spruce, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of freezing
Verb
  • The Flimby Garden was designed by Burnham, its first garden design, and is intended to be a restorative, relaxing space for employees to step away from their busy work days.
    — Riley Jones, Footwear News, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Other shots showed Yarmosky posing on the vessel in front of the picturesque surroundings, Holmes making a heart shape in the water and relaxing on the boat.
    — Becca Longmire, PEOPLE, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of relaxing
Verb
  • Chan was undeterred by YouTube policies discouraging people from spamming the platform with quick-turn content.
    — Max Tani, semafor.com, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Much like the journalism injury, which is suffering from Google discouraging users from clicking on links with its AI Overview feature, advertisers are struggling to control the shopping experience and how products are being featured inside AI Mode.
    — Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of discouraging
Verb
  • When your fur baby isn’t lounging alongside you, the under-table space can serve as storage for outdoor essentials by simply removing the cushion.
    — Better Homes & Gardens, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Sep. 2026
  • Place a sturdy tray on top to create a flat surface for drinks and snacks, or turn it into a coffee table when you’re done lounging.
    — Toni Sutton, PEOPLE, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of lounging
Adjective
  • Judd’s furniture asks you to admire it; Heilmann’s asks you to sit down and chill.
    — Jerry Saltz, Vulture, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Older age statements, barrel-strength bottlings, non-chill filtration, single barrels, micro-batches and distinctive packaging led to sustained success in export markets like Japan and Europe.
    — Chris Perugini, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of chill
Verb
  • For many years after theorists had first looked at this problem, this sort of temperature wasn’t an option—cooling atoms down to such temperatures only became possible in the late 1990s.
    — Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 11 Sep. 2026
  • The suits say continuous noise from data centers’ cooling systems and power generators is substantially interfering with local neighbors’ use and enjoyment of their property — a legal standard for proving a private nuisance.
    — Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of cooling
Verb
  • But Algo’s hyper-logical, computerised process of consistently picking the favourites to win was undone in the second match of the day, with Ghana frustrating England in a 0-0 draw.
    — The Athletic Soccer Experts, New York Times, 24 June 2026
  • 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
Definition of frustrating

Browse Nearby Words

chilliness
chilling
chilling out
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Cite this Entry

“Chilling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chilling. Accessed 13 Sep. 2026.

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about chilling

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