as in chilly
uncomfortably cool
a Southern visitor who was unused to the chilling air of a Northeast winter
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in freezing
to cause to lose heat
chill the gelatin for two hours, until it sets
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2
as in relaxing
to get rid of nervous tension or anxiety
you want to hang out with us and just chill this weekend?
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3
as in discouraging
to lessen the courage or confidence of
investors chilled by the floundering economy
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4
as in lounging
to spend time doing nothing
instead of going out tonight, let's stay in and chill
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of chilling
Andrew S. Boutros, Chicago Tribune, 29 Apr. 2026
That chilling effect was very real for Levine while the initial flight restriction was in place.
—Jeremy Hsu, ArsTechnica, 28 Apr. 2026
Tim Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 4 Apr. 2026
Thankfully, Janus Films will release Kurosawa’s bone-chilling short at IFC Center in New York City starting this weekend.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 25 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for chilling
Adjective
Those were the chilling words of a Chicago gang member who made good on his threat by firing a hail of bullets into a car on Halloween night in 2009 in Chicago’s Humboldt Park neighborhood.
—Andrew S. Boutros, Chicago Tribune, 29 Apr. 2026
That chilling effect was very real for Levine while the initial flight restriction was in place.
—Jeremy Hsu, ArsTechnica, 28 Apr. 2026
Verb
Some seeds might require a short period of chilling before being sown.
—Tim Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 4 Apr. 2026
Thankfully, Janus Films will release Kurosawa’s bone-chilling short at IFC Center in New York City starting this weekend.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 25 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for chilling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for chilling
Adjective
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This soft, lightweight throw is an easy comfort to keep on a classroom chair for chilly mornings or to use at home after a long day.—
Jeaneen Russell,
PEOPLE,
1 May 2026
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There's a lot to talk about as chilly weather has moved in.—
Ron Smiley,
CBS News,
1 May 2026
Verb
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That meant an overnight stay on the mountain in freezing conditions.—
Amber Harding OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
28 Apr. 2026
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While some lavender species, such as English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), can tolerate cold temperatures, most varieties will suffer when exposed to consistent winds and freezing conditions.—
Cori Sears,
The Spruce,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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And with its options for kayaking, standup paddleboarding, sailing, and waterskiing—plus a boardwalk for strolling and sandy beaches for relaxing—Mission Bay Park is a great spot for active families.—
Kara Williams,
USA Today,
25 Apr. 2026
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Meander the historic district, then break out your boats or find a picnic bench along the shore to take in a few relaxing hours in LaGrange.—
Carolanne Griffith Roberts,
Southern Living,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The Charter closes by discouraging the creation of new categories of IP law or extending patent and copyright terms.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
24 Apr. 2026
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Analysts said investors were focusing on potentially discouraging numbers underneath the surface, including decelerating growth in trends for its software business.—
Stan Choe,
Fortune,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The animal, which arrived at the pier about a month ago, has sparked enthusiasm on social media, with Reddit users sharing photos and videos of Chonkers lounging and sunbathing.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Apr. 2026
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Droves of sea lions began lounging at the dock shortly in 1989 shortly after the Loma Prieta earthquake hit the San Francisco Bay Area.—
Carlos E. Castañeda,
CBS News,
30 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Things were generally chill for the next seven months — or at least status quo, meaning Kimmel would regularly bash the president and Republicans would regularly bash Kimmel.—
Tony Maglio,
HollywoodReporter,
27 Apr. 2026
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Meals are usually chill, and potluck-style.—
Bon Appétit,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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With savings up to 86 percent on complete sets and lots of cooling options for warm nights, there are some major bedding deals lurking on the site.—
Tanya Sharma,
PEOPLE,
26 Apr. 2026
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Unfamiliar with the risks, the operators shut down the reactor’s power-regulating mechanism and its emergency core cooling system (ECCS).—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
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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 4 May. 2026.
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