: 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 Santana, Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2026
But the reality of the series is more chilling.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 1 May 2026
The chilling water had turned Jerry’s face purple, and our bodies had nearly reached the limit of their endurance.
—Jim Hoagland, Outdoor Life, 30 Apr. 2026
Her 10-episode first season isn’t just an allegory for learning to accept and conquer life’s inescapable anxieties; its horrors are irrefutable for everyone onscreen, which makes for a cathartic, curious, and chilling experience for everyone watching at home.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 29 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for chilling
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Adjective
Advocates see it as a way to send a chilling message to immigrant communities and make more people vulnerable to deportation.
—Rebecca Santana, Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2026
But the reality of the series is more chilling.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 1 May 2026
The chilling water had turned Jerry’s face purple, and our bodies had nearly reached the limit of their endurance.
—Jim Hoagland, Outdoor Life, 30 Apr. 2026
Her 10-episode first season isn’t just an allegory for learning to accept and conquer life’s inescapable anxieties; its horrors are irrefutable for everyone onscreen, which makes for a cathartic, curious, and chilling experience for everyone watching at home.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 29 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for chilling
Cite this Entry
“Chilling.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chilling. Accessed 4 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
chilling
adjective
chill·ing
ˈchil-iŋ 
: very disturbing or frightening
a chilling case of abuse
chillingly
adverb
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