chilling

adjective

chill·​ing ˈchi-liŋ How to pronounce chilling (audio)
: gravely disturbing or frightening
a chilling case of abuse
chillingly adverb

Examples of chilling in a Sentence

a Southern visitor who was unused to the chilling air of a Northeast winter
Recent Examples on the Web While incumbents say the council is protecting Shawnee’s neighborhood feel, opponents argue there’s been a chilling effect on development and worry about a lack of housing diversity for working families. Sarah Ritter, Kansas City Star, 22 Mar. 2024 Their aim was to present a united front against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his right-wing Bharatiya Janata Party, whose chauvinism and authoritarianism have had a chilling effect on the world’s biggest democracy. Arash Azizi, The Atlantic, 21 Mar. 2024 Analysts say the legislation, which will take effect on March 23, could have a chilling effect on a wide range of people, including entrepreneurs, civil servants, lawyers, diplomats, journalists and academics, raising questions about Hong Kong’s status as an international city. David Pierson, New York Times, 19 Mar. 2024 Miller said the Senate's actions would have a chilling effect on the democratic process. Kelly Meyerhofer, Journal Sentinel, 12 Mar. 2024 One evening in the dead of winter, a chilling and persistent howling came from V.’s apartment. Joseph O’Neill, The New Yorker, 11 Mar. 2024 Cook time: 1 hour 45 minutes, plus overnight chilling. Stephanie Breijo, Los Angeles Times, 10 Mar. 2024 The rise in state laws banning gender-affirming care, which also uses puberty blockers, has had a chilling effect on the use of these drugs. Alexa Lee, STAT, 7 Mar. 2024 The researchers say strict protocols designed to keep bad actors from abusing AI systems are instead having a chilling effect on independent research. Nitasha Tiku, Washington Post, 5 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'chilling.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1815, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of chilling was in 1815

Dictionary Entries Near chilling

Cite this Entry

“Chilling.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chilling. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

chilling

adjective
chill·​ing ˈchil-iŋ How to pronounce chilling (audio)
: very disturbing or frightening
a chilling case of abuse
chillingly adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on chilling

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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