: 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
Kevin Collier, NBC News, 19 Mar. 2025
Tacked on lamp posts throughout the neighborhoods of Los Angeles, these posters contained chilling and clear orders.
—Mary Laporte, Hartford Courant, 19 Mar. 2025
The more the merrier, in a rather chilling fashion.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes, 15 Mar. 2025
Here’s everything to know about the film's final minutes, including why Hartnett decided to go shirtless in a particularly chilling scene.
—Samantha Stutsman, People.com, 13 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for chilling
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Adjective
In an appearance on CNBC Wednesday, Slaughter warned that the firings could have a chilling effect even on Republican commissioners.
—Kevin Collier, NBC News, 19 Mar. 2025
Tacked on lamp posts throughout the neighborhoods of Los Angeles, these posters contained chilling and clear orders.
—Mary Laporte, Hartford Courant, 19 Mar. 2025
The more the merrier, in a rather chilling fashion.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes, 15 Mar. 2025
Here’s everything to know about the film's final minutes, including why Hartnett decided to go shirtless in a particularly chilling scene.
—Samantha Stutsman, People.com, 13 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for chilling
Cite this Entry
“Chilling.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chilling. Accessed 23 Mar. 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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