as in chilly
uncomfortably cool
a Southern visitor who was unused to the chilling air of a Northeast winter
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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
Maureen Dowd, Mercury News, 10 Feb. 2026
There is a clear First Amendment doctrine that refers to the chilling effect.
—Dana Taylor, USA Today, 9 Feb. 2026
Ariana Dickson, Travel + Leisure, 28 Jan. 2026
The death toll from this weekend’s bone-chilling winter storm, has climbed to eight, with city officials investigating how so many New Yorkers lost their lives on the streets and whether the deaths were caused by the extreme cold.
—Josephine Stratman, New York Daily News, 26 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for chilling
Adjective
As the Times’ David Fahrenthold told CNN, the louche role of some tech billionaires in the Epstein scandal is particularly chilling because our lives in the coming years will be defined by these billionaires.
—Maureen Dowd, Mercury News, 10 Feb. 2026
There is a clear First Amendment doctrine that refers to the chilling effect.
—Dana Taylor, USA Today, 9 Feb. 2026
Verb
Bruceriver Pure Wool Knit Gloves Cold hands can ruin even the best winter day, which is why wool gloves are non-negotiable in bone-chilling cold.
—Ariana Dickson, Travel + Leisure, 28 Jan. 2026
The death toll from this weekend’s bone-chilling winter storm, has climbed to eight, with city officials investigating how so many New Yorkers lost their lives on the streets and whether the deaths were caused by the extreme cold.
—Josephine Stratman, New York Daily News, 26 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for chilling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for chilling
Adjective
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Bedsure GentleSoft Fleece Blanket There’s nothing quite like snuggling under a cozy blanket during chilly weather.—
Brittany VanDerBill,
Better Homes & Gardens,
20 Feb. 2026
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Joonhee Park’s grayscale set design, complemented by Ben Carne’s fluorescent lighting, particularly suits Marlene’s harsh corporate world, but the chilly look also nods to Thatcherite austerity throughout the play.—
Emily McClanathan,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The below-freezing temperatures, which lasted weeks, froze creeks, ponds and even parts of the Potomac River in the area.—
Rebecca Morin,
USA Today,
18 Feb. 2026
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Gradual warming across Maryland through Thursday Early morning temperatures stayed safely above freezing in and around the Baltimore Beltway, but fog continues to be quite problematic.—
Steven Sosna,
CBS News,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The food is also elevated a bit from the typical Mexican fare, making Perro Salado a great place for a date night, relaxing group dinner or anything in between.—
Will Richmond,
The Providence Journal,
14 Feb. 2026
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What does relaxing look like for an Olympic speedskater?—
Sean Nevin,
NBC news,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Perhaps the solution is as simple as Miss Manners issuing a polite, but stern, PSA or a witty bon mot discouraging this practice.—
Judith Martin,
Sun Sentinel,
13 Feb. 2026
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The networks told producers to return when it had been made, in part due to the economic climate discouraging buying.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Some travelers love vacations that involve doing absolutely nothing—trips where lounging by the beach or pool, napping, reading, or going for a light swim are the most rigorous activities on the agenda.—
Lydia Mansel,
Travel + Leisure,
17 Feb. 2026
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The fabric drapes for a put-together look equally suitable for lounging on a couch, sitting on a plane, running errands, or having brunch with friends.—
Paige Bennett,
Better Homes & Gardens,
16 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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And Mike is so good at directing them and keeping them chill.—
Wesley Stenzel,
Entertainment Weekly,
16 Feb. 2026
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Despite a few especially chill days, temperatures have stayed mostly above normal in the region over the winter months, according to climate data from the National Weather Service Fort Worth.—
Brayden Garcia,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
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At hearings before Florida legislators, data-center developers testified that many companies are bypassing their water challenges by moving to cooling systems that use closed-loop water technology to reduce massive water consumption.—
Mary Ellen Klas,
Twin Cities,
15 Feb. 2026
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Instead of waiting for a building to be built and used, designers can now test how different cooling strategies will perform while plans are still being developed.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
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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 21 Feb. 2026.
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