: 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
CBS News, 24 Feb. 2025
Although few may recognize his name, the footage of Hill, captured on Abraham Zapruder’s chilling home movie of the assassination, provided some of the most indelible images of Kennedy’s assassination in Dallas on Nov. 22, 1963.
—Jack Dura, Chicago Tribune, 24 Feb. 2025
In the face of that chilling, prosaic nightmare, all Perkins can do is laugh.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 21 Feb. 2025
Many argue the vague language is designed to have a chilling effect, pressuring schools to abandon any programs touching on race—even those that could hold up in court.
—Essence, 19 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for chilling
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Adjective
Although few may recognize his name, the footage of Hill, captured on Abraham Zapruder's chilling home movie of the shooting, provided some of the most indelible images of Kennedy's assassination in Dallas on Nov. 22, 1963.
—CBS News, 24 Feb. 2025
Although few may recognize his name, the footage of Hill, captured on Abraham Zapruder’s chilling home movie of the assassination, provided some of the most indelible images of Kennedy’s assassination in Dallas on Nov. 22, 1963.
—Jack Dura, Chicago Tribune, 24 Feb. 2025
In the face of that chilling, prosaic nightmare, all Perkins can do is laugh.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 21 Feb. 2025
Many argue the vague language is designed to have a chilling effect, pressuring schools to abandon any programs touching on race—even those that could hold up in court.
—Essence, 19 Feb. 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 1 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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