as in chilly
uncomfortably cool
a Southern visitor who was unused to the chilling air of a Northeast winter
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in freezing
to cause to lose heat
chill the gelatin for two hours, until it sets
Synonyms & Similar Words
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?
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in discouraging
to lessen the courage or confidence of
investors chilled by the floundering economy
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in lounging
to spend time doing nothing
instead of going out tonight, let's stay in and chill
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
John Penner, Los Angeles Times, 8 Jan. 2026
The ripple effects through the labor market and broader economy are chilling.
—David Goldman, CNN Money, 6 Jan. 2026
Noelle Alviz-Gransee, Kansas City Star, 29 Dec. 2025
Chocolate chips would be a tasty addition to this cookie; simply fold them into the dough before chilling.
—Catherine Jessee, Southern Living, 22 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for chilling
Adjective
The depictions of mob violence are chilling evocations of the darkest moments of the 20th century.
—John Penner, Los Angeles Times, 8 Jan. 2026
The ripple effects through the labor market and broader economy are chilling.
—David Goldman, CNN Money, 6 Jan. 2026
Verb
Sunday’s hazardous weather outlook that brought snow may have passed, but the bone-chilling wind will still be in play Monday morning before temperatures rise this week.
—Noelle Alviz-Gransee, Kansas City Star, 29 Dec. 2025
Chocolate chips would be a tasty addition to this cookie; simply fold them into the dough before chilling.
—Catherine Jessee, Southern Living, 22 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for chilling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for chilling
Adjective
-
Featuring an oversized cardigan paired with tapered pants, it can easily be paired with a simple tank top, T-shirt, or turtleneck when things get a bit chillier.—
Aly Walansky,
Travel + Leisure,
10 Jan. 2026
-
The cotton-blend fabric is made for lightweight warmth to keep the cold at bay without heavy layers on chilly days.—
Caley Sturgill,
Southern Living,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The strikes have left tens of thousands of people across the country without power or heating amid freezing winter temperatures.—
Kosta Gak,
CNN Money,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Typically, temperatures should be just above freezing for the beginning of January.—
Karen Carter,
CBS News,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Style your living room with new throw pillow covers and blankets, design a relaxing bedroom with natural cotton sheets, set the table with stoneware plates, or make your kitchen even more functional with premium baking dishes and wooden utensils.—
Caley Sturgill,
Southern Living,
7 Jan. 2026
-
That must include a lounge set that’s comfy enough for relaxing on the couch but has a polished design that looks put-together when worn out of the house.—
Rachel Trujillo,
PEOPLE,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
In a 2025 prison interview included in the documentary, Young defends his treatments and denies making anyone sick or discouraging his patients from seeing their doctors.—
Alexandra Schonfeld,
PEOPLE,
12 Jan. 2026
-
Fixating on the outcome and then having trouble achieving that goal can be discouraging.—
Gillian Mohney,
Verywell Health,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Whether lounging in white wicker rocking chairs or eating outside off wrought iron tables, some patio furniture will always be reminiscent of her.—
Shea Simmons,
Southern Living,
12 Jan. 2026
-
Spend your days exploring the biosphere or lounging on daybeds and in private gazebos on the beach.—
Gemma Price,
Travel + Leisure,
11 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The vibe is chill and quiet, with an accompanying playlist.—
Julia Sayers Gokhale,
Midwest Living,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Use 2- to 2 1/2-inch star cookie cutters to cut out shapes, rerolling scraps as needed (if necessary, chill scraps before rerolling).—
Elizabeth Fogarty,
Better Homes & Gardens,
23 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
After 10 more minutes of cooling down, shift the brownies to a cutting board.—
Karla Walsh,
Southern Living,
11 Jan. 2026
-
For a bird’s-eye view of the jungle and villages, climb the towering Nohoch Mul Pyramid to emerge around 138 feet above the canopy before cooling off in your choice of pristine cenotes.—
Gemma Price,
Travel + Leisure,
11 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
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 14 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share