as in chilly
uncomfortably cool
a Southern visitor who was unused to the chilling air of a Northeast winter
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in freezing
to cause to lose heat
chill the gelatin for two hours, until it sets
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in relaxing
to get rid of nervous tension or anxiety
you want to hang out with us and just chill this weekend?
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in discouraging
to lessen the courage or confidence of
investors chilled by the floundering economy
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in lounging
to spend time doing nothing
instead of going out tonight, let's stay in and chill
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of chilling
Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 27 May 2025
But abandoning these agreements could have a chilling effect on efforts that are already underway in Baltimore, Cleveland and Ferguson, Missouri, where a white police officer killed Michael Brown, an unarmed Black teenager, in 2014.
—Alicia Victoria Lozano, NBC news, 25 May 2025
Advertisement Advertisement Statistics are chilling but faceless.
—Rabbi David Wolpe, Time, 23 May 2025
This settlement sends a chilling message to law enforcement nationwide, especially to those with a protective mission like ours.
—Tom Dreisbach, NPR, 21 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for chilling
Adjective
The most chilling part of all of this is that no one was ever found responsible for what was at least seven deaths from the poisonings.
—Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 27 May 2025
But abandoning these agreements could have a chilling effect on efforts that are already underway in Baltimore, Cleveland and Ferguson, Missouri, where a white police officer killed Michael Brown, an unarmed Black teenager, in 2014.
—Alicia Victoria Lozano, NBC news, 25 May 2025
Advertisement Advertisement Statistics are chilling but faceless.
—Rabbi David Wolpe, Time, 23 May 2025
This settlement sends a chilling message to law enforcement nationwide, especially to those with a protective mission like ours.
—Tom Dreisbach, NPR, 21 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for chilling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for chilling
Adjective
-
In keeping with that theme, rooms have outdoor showers (with heaters for those chilly Utah mornings), a communal patio with Uno cards, a drive-in theater and a food truck dishing out burgers and fries almost every night.—
DeMarco Williams,
Forbes.com,
16 May 2025
-
The day was chilly, but the sun shone through the trees.—
Anna Grace Lee,
New York Times,
16 May 2025
Verb
-
Birth tissue-products are stored at below freezing temperatures to retain their viability and effectiveness and are also shipped in special containers.—
Michelle Marchante,
Miami Herald,
24 Mar. 2025
-
She was heavily criticized for being out of the country when the fire exploded amid dire wind warnings and for freezing up when confronted by press about her absence.—
Julia Wick,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
In , the small cat curiously edged toward the new canine friend, who was relaxing on the couch, gently patting him with her paw and sniffing.—
Alice Gibbs,
Newsweek,
26 Dec. 2024
-
And to add to the messy situation, conflicting media reports suggest the company either is or is not relaxing its hardware hurdle for taking.—
Zak Doffman,
Forbes,
26 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Good air circulation will allow leaves and stems to dry out, discouraging disease.—
Beth Botts,
Chicago Tribune,
12 Apr. 2025
-
Actions by officials in the two countries are also discouraging Canadian tourists from looking south.—
Skyler Swisher,
The Orlando Sentinel,
12 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
The Modern Family alum could be seen lounging while wearing black bikini bottoms and holding a product from her Toty suncare brand.—
Brenton Blanchet,
People.com,
13 Apr. 2025
-
Those include a sitting area off the primary bedroom, a dining table on the narrow part of the deck, a patio outfitted for entertaining, and multiple options for lounging by the pool.—
Betsy Cribb Watson,
Southern Living,
13 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
This episode begins with a relatively chill vibe as Dina’s two love interests go riding out into the snowy wilderness, busting each other’s chops.—
Noel Murray,
New York Times,
21 Apr. 2025
-
Though their everyday hangouts are chill, Beckham loves to roll out the red carpet for Milo on special occasions.—
Michelle Lee,
People.com,
13 May 2025
Verb
-
Changing the direction of ceiling fans can help reduce heating costs in winter and lower cooling costs in summer.—
Melissa Locker,
Southern Living,
4 Jan. 2025
-
Turn the cakes out onto cooling racks.—
The Enquirer,
The Enquirer,
3 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Place the terracotta pot upside down over the tea lights, resting on the bricks.—
Cody Godwin,
USA TODAY,
7 Jan. 2025
-
With this new year, consider planning some fresh ways to cater to your creativity—and lean in to the importance of resting.—
Essence,
Essence,
7 Jan. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Chilling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chilling. Accessed 6 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share