chilly

adjective

ˈchi-lē How to pronounce chilly (audio)
Definition of chillynext
1
as in chilling
uncomfortably cool those chilly nights when a warm fire can be especially comforting

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in icy
lacking in friendliness or warmth of feeling a chilly glare directed at the person who tried to go to the head of the line

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in cold
having a low or subnormal temperature a chilly spring morning

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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 chilly The transitional piece can be worn on its own or layered with a turtleneck for chillier fall days. — Melony Forcier, InStyle, 29 Aug. 2026 As the attractive secretary, she is forced to fend off not only Hart’s advances (with the cheery but firm dexterity of a woman with no alternative and many years of practice) but also the chilly scorn of her female colleagues. — Culture Critic, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026 That first chilly day of the year means mice, stink bugs, Asian lady beetles and more become residents of your home. — Alora Bopray, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026 Cool mornings turn into hot days, which turn into chilly evenings, leaving you sweating, shivering, or both. — Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for chilly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for chilly
  1. chilling
  2. icy
  3. cold
  4. chill
  5. frigid
  6. freezing
  7. bleak
  8. cool
Adjective
  • The rattle of a bride’s gold earring or the rasp of straightener steam through a bride’s hair takes on a panic-inducingly eerie quality thanks to Marie-Clotilde Chery’s chilling sound design.
    — Miriam Balanescu, IndieWire, 6 Sep. 2026
  • They shouldn’t be stored below 45 degrees because chilling can cause internal damage and eventually contribute to breakdown and rot, explains Gregorie.
    — Lynn Andriani, Martha Stewart, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of chilling
Adjective
  • Only the director is clearly visible, with co-director Szor serving as cinematographer along with an unnamed camera crew, capturing 24 difficult conversations in front of nighttime cityscapes that have the icy feel of a Michael Mann movie.
    — Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 10 Sep. 2026
  • The temperature might be warmer for the rematch but the reception might be just as icy.
    — Elliott Teaford, Oc Register, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of icy
Adjective
  • New England had a 3rd-and-1 close to midfield, but its rush attempt was stopped cold and the Patriots punted.
    — Andrew Greif, NBC news, 10 Sep. 2026
  • These days still call for cold drinks and as little clothing as is practicable.
    — Brenda Looper, Arkansas Online, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of cold
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
Adjective
  • Consider using an anti-desiccant spray in the early spring, which adds a protective waxy layer to the leaves that helps reduce temperature loss during frigid, dry weather.
    — The Spruce, The Spruce, 8 Sep. 2026
  • On a planet where the temperature can top 800 degrees, the poles are frigid with deep, permanently shadowed craters packed with ice.
    — Marcia Dunn, Los Angeles Times, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of frigid
Adjective
  • But, as mad as the idea may have seemed back then, the tradition is still going strong 40 years later with participants coming from around the world to cast their dignity aside — along with a warm robe — and take the plunge into the freezing water.
    — Rob Tanner, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026
  • In addition, Moscow continued its efforts to wreck the Ukrainian power grid before the freezing winter months.
    — Hanna Arhirova, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of freezing
Adjective
  • Using the pretense of a documentary film crew, the show follows the excruciatingly dull workday experiences of a paper supply company in a drab office in a bleak industrial estate in Slough, England.
    — René Ostberg, Encyclopedia Britannica, 4 Sep. 2026
  • India's quarterly economic growth has exceeded expectations several times over the past year, defying a bleak global trade environment, high energy prices and geopolitical uncertainties.
    — Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of bleak
Adjective
  • The Lightblaze Sneakers are functional and cool, combining responsive support with trending details, including suede, animal print, and metallic accents.
    — Kaelin Dodge, InStyle, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Rather markets sending yields lower to account for a slower economy and cooler inflation, yields have marched higher.
    — Jason Ma, Fortune, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of cool

Browse Nearby Words

chills out
chilly
chime
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Cite this Entry

“Chilly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chilly. Accessed 14 Sep. 2026.

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