: 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
Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 11 July 2025
Months later, they were spotted chilling and having fun in their box at the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells Tennis Garden.
—Stephanie Sengwe, People.com, 8 July 2025
The dinosaurs revert to instinct and viciously attack humans, thereby creating chilling suspense for audiences.
—Blake D. Morant, Forbes.com, 8 July 2025
Threats against journalists grew, sending a chilling message to those who wrote about Russian security services.
—Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for chilling
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.
Adjective
For an Austin audience, this data center conflict resonates with a chilling familiarity.
—Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 11 July 2025
Months later, they were spotted chilling and having fun in their box at the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells Tennis Garden.
—Stephanie Sengwe, People.com, 8 July 2025
The dinosaurs revert to instinct and viciously attack humans, thereby creating chilling suspense for audiences.
—Blake D. Morant, Forbes.com, 8 July 2025
Threats against journalists grew, sending a chilling message to those who wrote about Russian security services.
—Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 July 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 21 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
chilling
adjective
chill·ing
ˈchil-iŋ 
: very disturbing or frightening
a chilling case of abuse
chillingly
adverb
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share