: gravely disturbing or frightening
a chilling case of abuse
chilling
2 of 2present participle of chill entry 3
Synonyms
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
Hannah Allam, ProPublica, 10 Feb. 2025
Beyond potential legal ramifications, experts said the task force’s existence could have a chilling effect on the work of both offices.
—Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 7 Feb. 2025
Human rights activists said sanctioning court officials would have a chilling effect and run counter to U.S. interests in other conflict zones where the court is investigating.
—Darlene Superville, Chicago Tribune, 7 Feb. 2025
Retaliation against agents could also have a chilling effect on FBI agents’ desire to investigate future cases involving the second Trump administration.
—Elizabeth Robinson, NBC News, 6 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for chilling 
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Adjective
Doyle and other monitors credit the drop in part to the chilling effect of the Justice Department’s post-Jan. 6 crackdown on anti-government and white supremacist movements.
—Hannah Allam, ProPublica, 10 Feb. 2025
Beyond potential legal ramifications, experts said the task force’s existence could have a chilling effect on the work of both offices.
—Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 7 Feb. 2025
Human rights activists said sanctioning court officials would have a chilling effect and run counter to U.S. interests in other conflict zones where the court is investigating.
—Darlene Superville, Chicago Tribune, 7 Feb. 2025
Retaliation against agents could also have a chilling effect on FBI agents’ desire to investigate future cases involving the second Trump administration.
—Elizabeth Robinson, NBC News, 6 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for chilling
Dictionary Entries Near chilling
Cite this Entry
“Chilling.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chilling. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
chilling
adjective
chill·ing
ˈchil-iŋ 
: very disturbing or frightening
a chilling case of abuse
chillingly
adverb
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