: gravely disturbing or frightening
a chilling case of abuse
chilling
2 of 2present participle of chill entry 3
Examples of chilling in a Sentence
Adjective
a Southern visitor who was unused to the chilling air of a Northeast winter
Recent Examples on the Web
Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 21 Sep. 2025
As the respiratory virus season arrives, some still worry that so many statements and counter-statements about vaccines will ultimately create a chilling effect.
—Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Sep. 2025
After Kirk’s murder, graphic crime scene images spread within minutes — a chilling reminder of cultural desensitization.
—Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 20 Sep. 2025
Advertisement That assault is already having a concrete chilling effect on the market.
—Justin Worland, Time, 19 Sep. 2025
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Adjective
Produced by Jordan Peele and directed by Justin Tipping, the psychological thriller follows an aging quarterback (Marlon Wayans) who trains a rising football star (Tyriq Withers) to some chilling consequences.
—Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 21 Sep. 2025
As the respiratory virus season arrives, some still worry that so many statements and counter-statements about vaccines will ultimately create a chilling effect.
—Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Sep. 2025
After Kirk’s murder, graphic crime scene images spread within minutes — a chilling reminder of cultural desensitization.
—Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 20 Sep. 2025
Advertisement That assault is already having a concrete chilling effect on the market.
—Justin Worland, Time, 19 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for chilling
Cite this Entry
“Chilling.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chilling. Accessed 24 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
chilling
adjective
chill·ing
ˈchil-iŋ 
: very disturbing or frightening
a chilling case of abuse
chillingly
adverb
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