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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
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Recent Examples of chilly
Under chilly blue skies Tuesday, Westminster was rife with speculation about who might try to move against their own leader.
—
Alexander Smith, NBC news, 12 May 2026
Chilly Thursday across Maryland Thursday will be chilly, mostly cloudy and a little drizzly.
—Cutter Martin, CBS News, 12 May 2026
On the plus side, the heated vanity with adjustable temperature settings is heavenly on chilly mornings.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 May 2026
The slight ruffle at the hem adds a romantic detail, and the elbow-length sleeves will give you a bit of warmth during chilly spring evenings.
—Shea Simmons, PEOPLE, 6 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for chilly
Alexander Smith, NBC news, 12 May 2026
Chilly Thursday across Maryland Thursday will be chilly, mostly cloudy and a little drizzly.
—Cutter Martin, CBS News, 12 May 2026
On the plus side, the heated vanity with adjustable temperature settings is heavenly on chilly mornings.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 May 2026
The slight ruffle at the hem adds a romantic detail, and the elbow-length sleeves will give you a bit of warmth during chilly spring evenings.
—Shea Simmons, PEOPLE, 6 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for chilly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for chilly
Adjective
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As Nikki transforms from an ordinary young woman into an unhinged force willing to do anything to keep Bear to herself, Navarrette delivers a seamless and chilling performance that has quickly positioned her as one of horror’s most exciting new talents.—
Lexi Carson,
HollywoodReporter,
16 May 2026
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There’s probably a smart, chilling film to be made about the terrors of smothering and relentless adoration — one imagines what Rod Serling would have done with something like this — but this isn’t really that film.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
15 May 2026
Adjective
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Summer, for some, is the perfect excuse to sip icy dirty martinis on a city rooftop.—
Loren Savini,
Allure,
14 May 2026
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There’s been a fierce debate over the past two decades about the status of the distant icy world of Pluto after it was contentiously stripped of its planethood and reclassified as a dwarf planet.—
Chas Newkey-Burden,
TheWeek,
14 May 2026
Adjective
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There’s the youngest, most freewheeling son’s habit of swilling cold coffee while watching The Gong Show.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 May 2026
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Historically, extremely cold temperatures, near absolute zero, were used to put them in a quiet state, which required bulky and expensive systems.—
Aldo Svaldi,
Mercury News,
19 May 2026
Adjective
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Can a Yellowstone spinoff that’s more about those calm, chill moments find an audience?—
Noel Murray,
Vulture,
15 May 2026
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The vibes seemed extremely chill.—
Raven Brunner,
PEOPLE,
5 May 2026
Adjective
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That was the frigid afternoon when Darrell Green returned a punt 52 yards for a touchdown, hurdling a would-be tackler on the play.—
Josh Robbins,
New York Times,
11 May 2026
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In addition to frequent plumbing and electricity issues, the building didn't have heat for several months during the frigid Michigan winter, leaving families freezing during their kids’ games and practices.—
Kenny Jacoby,
USA Today,
7 May 2026
Adjective
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Tropical hibiscus should be brought indoors when temperatures drop below about 55 degrees, while cold-hardy types like Rose of Sharon can tolerate freezing temperatures and overwinter outdoors in zones 5 to 9.—
Madeline Buiano,
Martha Stewart,
14 May 2026
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The snow gave way on Saturday to a freezing drizzle, but returned on Sunday and fell through the night.—
Dan Barry,
New York Times,
12 May 2026
Adjective
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In other words, the status quo of ed tech is bleak.—
Will Oremus,
The Atlantic,
16 May 2026
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Like its gruesome predecessors, his latest full-length work features adorably designed anthropomorphic animals (and mushrooms) navigating bleak realities and confronting existentialist concerns.—
Carlos Aguilar,
Variety,
15 May 2026
Adjective
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On a cool, drizzly day in Oakland, California, the film director Boots Riley often seemed less like a person than like a landmark—clockable from a distance.—
Emily Nussbaum,
New Yorker,
17 May 2026
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When the air conditioner is on, the driver’s side vent is cold, the rear is cool, but the front passenger side vent is blowing hot air.—
John Paul Senior Manager Public Affairs And Traffic Safety Aaa Northeast,
Hartford Courant,
16 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Chilly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chilly. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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