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
Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 23 Feb. 2026
Congress has deliberately protected editorial discretion to prevent equal time rules from chilling political speech.
—Seth Ashley, The Conversation, 22 Feb. 2026
Alana Wise, NPR, 20 Feb. 2026
The sky hung low and gray that morning, and the bone-chilling cold and snow felt like an initiation to the Bold North.
—Literary Hub, 18 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for chilling
Adjective
For anyone who values privacy, that is chilling.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 23 Feb. 2026
Congress has deliberately protected editorial discretion to prevent equal time rules from chilling political speech.
—Seth Ashley, The Conversation, 22 Feb. 2026
Verb
So, for me, knitting is a great way to be completely relaxed, off my feet, and just chilling without just looking at my phone all the time.
—Alana Wise, NPR, 20 Feb. 2026
The sky hung low and gray that morning, and the bone-chilling cold and snow felt like an initiation to the Bold North.
—Literary Hub, 18 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for chilling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for chilling
Adjective
-
Viottiset 2-piece High-neck Loungewear Even though the weather is getting warmer, this high neckline might still come in handy on chilly mornings or evenings.—
Samantha Leal,
Travel + Leisure,
27 Feb. 2026
-
Nothing is more comforting on a chilly day than a steaming bowl of homemade soup.—
Carole Kotkin,
Miami Herald,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
After a messy morning, the freezing rain threat in Philadelphia has ended, with temperatures now above freezing.—
Bill Kelly,
CBS News,
3 Mar. 2026
-
During the winter and early spring, dormant vegetation — especially grass cured by freezing temperatures — becomes prime fuel when paired with dry, warm and windy weather.—
Mary Wasson,
Austin American Statesman,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The company boasts short wait times, one-on-one time with physicians and a relaxing environment including large, private rooms with baths and televisions, and catered meals.—
Angela Palermo,
Idaho Statesman,
28 Feb. 2026
-
Keep your pup calm with this relaxing sound machine.—
Jessica Moore,
USA Today,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Those moments can be discouraging, Bryant admitted.—
Tamia Boyd,
Charlotte Observer,
26 Feb. 2026
-
Some Fed officials have specifically argued that last year’s weak hiring shows that borrowing costs are weighing on growth and discouraging companies from expanding.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The images, which were taken in 2008 in Cape Town, South Africa, show Dion lounging on her back, gazing off into the distance, and enjoying the sun.—
Juliana Ukiomogbe,
InStyle,
5 Mar. 2026
-
Spend the weekend lounging on Siesta Beach, paddleboarding or kayaking at Turtle Beach, and snorkeling at the Point of Rocks reef, where colorful marine life abounds.—
Carrie Honaker,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
While hybrid fruit trees can thrive in a wide range of climates, each cultivar has its own specific hardiness and chill hour requirements.—
SJ McShane,
Martha Stewart,
27 Feb. 2026
-
This Kentucky bourbon is non-chill filtered, eight years old, and comes in at 110 proof, a combination which Beam says is ideal for his palate.—
Melinda Salchert,
Southern Living,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The labor market has been cooling, though layoffs remain at levels economists consider historically manageable.—
Allison Morrow,
CNN Money,
2 Mar. 2026
-
Newton made three straight 3-pointers to open the game and had half of his team’s points in the 48-48 tie after three quarters before cooling late in the fourth and missing five straight 3-pointers.—
Rick Armstrong,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Feb. 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 6 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
