chilling 1 of 2

adjective

ˈchi-liŋ How to pronounce chilling (audio)
Definition of chillingnext
as in chilly
uncomfortably cool a Southern visitor who was unused to the chilling air of a Northeast winter

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chilling

2 of 2

verb

present participle of chill
1
as in freezing
to cause to lose heat chill the gelatin for two hours, until it sets

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2
as in relaxing
to get rid of nervous tension or anxiety you want to hang out with us and just chill this weekend?

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3
as in discouraging
to lessen the courage or confidence of investors chilled by the floundering economy

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4
as in lounging
to spend time doing nothing instead of going out tonight, let's stay in and chill

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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
Adjective
Arresting people who question local government creates a chilling effect that can reach far beyond one small town. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 12 Aug. 2026 Travis Barker is looking back on a chilling premonition his daughter Alabama seemed to have about his 2008 plane crash. — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Aug. 2026
Verb
Long-term mortgage rates have already hit their highest level in nearly a year, chilling the housing industry. — Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 28 July 2026 Key steps include cooling the chocolate mixture, dropping the pan mid-bake to release air, and chilling the brownies. — Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for chilling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for chilling
  1. chilly
  2. freezing
  3. relaxing
  4. discouraging
  5. lounging
  6. chill
  7. cooling
  8. frustrating
Adjective
  • As spring rolls into Idaho every year, the snow starts to melt and the chilly water flows down the mountains through soil and streams.
    — Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 15 Aug. 2026
  • The breathable fabric and flexible styling means the skirt will be a no-brainer to reach for during the remaining hot days of summer as well as chilly fall nights.
    — Rachel Trujillo, PEOPLE, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of chilly
Verb
  • The city is eliminating 51 positions and freezing 91 positions for half the year and 29 positions for the full year.
    — Jack Fink, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026
  • In 2024, there were more than 39,000 egg retrieval or freezing cycles in the United States, up from 6,090 in 2014.
    — Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of freezing
Verb
  • Flip up the recliner-style side extension, and the wraparound seat becomes more of a chaise lounge for kicking up one's feet and relaxing away an evening at camp.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Finally, there’s magnesium, a mineral known for calming the nervous system and relaxing muscles.
    — Mura Dominko, Martha Stewart, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of relaxing
Verb
  • No ground was made up in the quarterback competition, which is discouraging in itself.
    — Zach Berman, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Again, Donato said this additional step was unnecessary and seemed geared toward discouraging users from downloading alternative stores.
    — Ryan Whitwam, ArsTechnica, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of discouraging
Verb
  • This two-piece set was particularly designed for lounging and getting things done alike.
    — Jasmine Gomez, Travel + Leisure, 8 Aug. 2026
  • Guests can spot her prints while lounging outside, sip cocktails created for the occasion, and shop for clothes that suit their trip.
    — Jim Dobson, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of lounging
Adjective
  • Older age statements, barrel-strength bottlings, non-chill filtration, single barrels, micro-batches and distinctive packaging led to sustained success in export markets like Japan and Europe.
    — Chris Perugini, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Make sure to choose an apple variety suited to your climate, as apples also need a certain number of chill hours to make fruit.
    — Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 July 2026
Definition of chill
Verb
  • Energy density optimization for scalability The architecture also removes the need for bulky cooling plates, air ducts, and wide safety gaps between individual modules.
    — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 14 Aug. 2026
  • These include building or upgrading cooling systems and scheduling maintenance outside periods of extreme heat.
    — , CNBC, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of cooling
Verb
  • But Algo’s hyper-logical, computerised process of consistently picking the favourites to win was undone in the second match of the day, with Ghana frustrating England in a 0-0 draw.
    — The Athletic Soccer Experts, New York Times, 24 June 2026
  • The documentary’s contradiction is right there, enthralling us with the wild achievements Potter pulled off and frustrating us with his bombast, leading us to ponder whether, as The Dark Wizard suggests, either could exist without the other.
    — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 7 May 2026
Definition of frustrating

Browse Nearby Words

chilliness
chilling
chilling out
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Cite this Entry

“Chilling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chilling. Accessed 18 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on chilling

Nglish: Translation of chilling for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about chilling

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