: 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
Jenni Reid, CNBC, 1 June 2025
Lampton and others said that revoking Chinese student visas will have a chilling effect on academia and could turn off the brightest minds from other countries as well.
—Daniel Miller, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2025
But the recent announcements from the federal government may have a chilling effect on what providers are willing to do, experts say.
—Deidre McPhillips, CNN Money, 29 May 2025
The Pact Courtesy of Publisher Thriller The Pact by Sharon Bolton | Trapeze
About a week, leaves time for sightseeing
A slow burner that gradually tightens its grip before racing toward a chilling finale.
—Newsweek Staff, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 May 2025
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Adjective
Any chilling effect would also come with international tourism expected to be dented this year, costing $12.5 billion in spending, due to negative perceptions of trade and immigration policy.
—Jenni Reid, CNBC, 1 June 2025
Lampton and others said that revoking Chinese student visas will have a chilling effect on academia and could turn off the brightest minds from other countries as well.
—Daniel Miller, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2025
But the recent announcements from the federal government may have a chilling effect on what providers are willing to do, experts say.
—Deidre McPhillips, CNN Money, 29 May 2025
The Pact Courtesy of Publisher Thriller The Pact by Sharon Bolton | Trapeze
About a week, leaves time for sightseeing
A slow burner that gradually tightens its grip before racing toward a chilling finale.
—Newsweek Staff, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 May 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 5 Jun. 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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