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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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
Our stories often center on the chilling reality of state and religious interference in the lives of the vulnerable. — Literary Hub, 1 July 2026 The documentary leaves out several key details, including Parker's chilling search history and the debate over her mental state. — Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 24 June 2026
Verb
The good news is that many of these risks are preventable with simple habits like cleaning, separating raw foods, cooking thoroughly, and chilling foods promptly. — Julie Scott, Verywell Health, 24 June 2026 What follows is a bone-chilling sequence in which Paula’s instinct is to fight for normalcy at all costs despite the panic and danger churning through her body. — Erin Qualey, Vulture, 24 June 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
  • Flemings, like Peterson a one-and-done player in college, had 14 points on chilly 4-of-16 shooting.
    — Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 5 July 2026
  • Then the movie ended, and someone flicked the lights, and people wiped their faces and checked their apps and the door opened for a chilly evening breeze.
    — The New Yorker, New Yorker, 4 July 2026
Definition of chilly
Verb
  • On Tuesday the team—which includes nine specialists across medicine, performance and psychology—could have an array of ice bags, cold towels, freezing vests and even cooling overshoes at their disposal.
    — Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 30 June 2026
  • There is no shortage of policy proposals for reducing college costs, ranging from freezing tuition to canceling student debt.
    — Thomas Adam, The Conversation, 26 June 2026
Definition of freezing
Verb
  • Iguanas are everywhere, relaxing around and even inside the pools—a further stamp of approval from nature itself.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 July 2026
  • But Wright was relaxing in a hammock when those words came to him; Thomson, in the stiff upholstery of the multiplex, is worse off.
    — Dan Piepenbring, Harpers Magazine, 30 June 2026
Definition of relaxing
Verb
  • Today, there are European governments discouraging AC use, power grids ill-equipped to absorb new cooling demand, and a growing tension between climate goals and adaptation needs.
    — Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 30 June 2026
  • Some sites are ‘lost forever’ The list of sites in the heart of Miami that have been found, only to be lost again, is at the same time discouraging and startling.
    — Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 30 June 2026
Definition of discouraging
Verb
  • Unlike during recovery months when high-intensity skiing and snowboarding take precedence, the remainder of the year is much more focused on lounging, pampering and connecting with other guests.
    — Dahvi Shira, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026
  • An old recording studio, still adorned with a grand piano, now exists more as a lounging space.
    — Noah Haggerty, Los Angeles Times, 29 June 2026
Definition of lounging
Adjective
  • The 25, also non-chill filtered, is bottled at 47 percent ABV (94 proof), and that higher proof goes a long way to unlocking the flavor here.
    — Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 24 June 2026
  • It was bottled at 43% ABV and is non-chill filtered.
    — David Thomas Tao, Forbes.com, 23 June 2026
Definition of chill
Verb
  • New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced that cooling centers would be open across the city due to the high temperatures.
    — Bryan West, USA Today, 4 July 2026
  • Shoppers can save up to 57 percent on breezy summer sundresses, comfy flip-flops, cooling bedding, and more, including picks from top brands like Laneige and Madewell.
    — Clara McMahon, PEOPLE, 3 July 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 7 Jul. 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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