: 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
Jeff Wagner, CBS News, 3 Apr. 2026
Despite this exemption, the bill is sure to have a chilling effect on health care, Ziegler said.
—Sophia Paffenroth, ABC News, 2 Apr. 2026
Remembering that becoming ordinary was once the series’ most chilling consequence is both peculiar and paramount.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 2 Apr. 2026
The backdrop of this chilling début novel is the Briarley School for Girls, a regimented institution housed in an imposing English estate.
—The New Yorker, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2026
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Adjective
As a chilling rain started to fall, the group marched to the memorial for Renee Good, the mother shot to death in her vehicle by an ICE agent.
—Jeff Wagner, CBS News, 3 Apr. 2026
Despite this exemption, the bill is sure to have a chilling effect on health care, Ziegler said.
—Sophia Paffenroth, ABC News, 2 Apr. 2026
Remembering that becoming ordinary was once the series’ most chilling consequence is both peculiar and paramount.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 2 Apr. 2026
The backdrop of this chilling début novel is the Briarley School for Girls, a regimented institution housed in an imposing English estate.
—The New Yorker, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 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 5 Apr. 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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