chill 1 of 3

adjective

Definition of chillnext
1
as in icy
lacking in friendliness or warmth of feeling were met with a chill gaze when they arrived home late from the party

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2
as in chilling
uncomfortably cool this chill weather is making my teeth chatter

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3
as in cold
having a low or subnormal temperature no one should be coatless on a chill night as this

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4
as in dark
causing or marked by an atmosphere lacking in cheer the house's design may be cutting-edge, but it has a chill sterility about it that is anything but homey

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chill

2 of 3

noun

ˈchil How to pronounce chill (audio)
as in chilliness
an uncomfortable degree of coolness there's a chill in the air, so you'd better wear a sweater

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chill

3 of 3

verb

1
as in to freeze
to cause to lose heat chill the gelatin for two hours, until it sets

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2
as in to relax
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 to discourage
to lessen the courage or confidence of investors chilled by the floundering economy

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4
as in to lazy
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 chill
Adjective
Blueberries need a chill period with temperatures between 32ºF and 45ºF to initiate dormancy. — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 23 June 2026 Stone Fruit Care Considerations Stone fruit success depends on selecting varieties with the correct chill-hour requirements for your region—and be sure to look at your precise location. — Rae Ford, Martha Stewart, 13 June 2026
Noun
Caused by parasites spread via Anopheles mosquitoes, malaria can cause symptoms including nausea, headache and intense waves of fever and chills. — CBS News, 28 Aug. 2026 Let cool, then transfer garlic and oil to an airtight container and chill. — Jeremy Fox, Bon Appetit Magazine, 28 Aug. 2026
Verb
While safety and code compliance matter, treating high-profile participants with escalating six-figure penalties risks chilling the very partners that amplify San Diego’s largest annual economic event. — U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026 Meanwhile, Garrity's former support of data centers chilled to the point of her calling for a moratorium on their development. — Andy Sheehan, CBS News, 25 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for chill
Recent Examples of Synonyms for chill
  1. icy
  2. chilling
  3. cold
  4. dark
  5. chilliness
  6. freeze
  7. relax
  8. discourage
Adjective
  • There’s nothing wrong with a great scoop, but sometimes the weather calls for something lighter, icier and a little more unexpected.
    — Lia Picard - For the AJC, AJC.com, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Posing next to co-star Sandra Bullock, the Australian star looked statuesque in a strapless column dress that was completely covered in icy mint sequins, which looked like scales.
    — Lara Walsh, InStyle, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of icy
Adjective
  • Jaafar Jackson’s transformation into the King of Pop will be the main talking point, and two-time Oscar nominee Colman Domingo’s chilling turn as family patriarch Joe Jackson lends the film gravity.
    — Clayton Davis, Variety, 27 Aug. 2026
  • The OpenAI version released today does not contain any code snippets, or even the chilling examples of messages the agents left for each other in the months leading up to the attack that its staffers shared at Black Hat.
    — Emily Forlini, Fortune, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of chilling
Adjective
  • Loco is known for its casual and rustic atmosphere, barbecue comfort food and cold drinks.
    — Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Summer is typically the most expensive time to pick up a lease, with asking prices falling in colder months, according to historical Apartment List data.
    — Mark Dee August 26, Idaho Statesman, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of cold
Adjective
  • On top of the moving-camera-foamy-dark-mouth challenge, there was the plaque challenge.
    — Jenny Bailly, Allure, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Finley’s breakout was the 2017 dark comedy Thoroughbreds, in which Olivia Cooke and Anya Taylor-Joy play high-schoolers conspiring to kill an abusive stepfather.
    — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of dark
Noun
  • Or that Penélope Cruz’s sultry chilliness would jibe with either her male counterparts or Wilde’s diary-of-a-mad-housewife interpretation of a brittle, eager-to-impress woman brimming with creative frustration.
    — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 26 June 2026
Definition of chilliness
Verb
  • Sophie Richards waited five years for a diagnosis (the average is seven to 10 years), and has had four surgeries (plus freezing her eggs).
    — Bella Webb, Vogue, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Iceland’s freezing temperatures typically last about five months of the year, but the government has chosen a balmy summer day for its pivotal national referendum.
    — Lauren Kent, CNN Money, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of freeze
Verb
  • Direct flights have resumed between India and China, a few old Silk Road trade routes have opened, and in March India relaxed rules around investment from Beijing.
    — Evelyn Cheng,Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Fences, hedges, noise machines, and relaxing music can all help.
    — R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of relax
Verb
  • This altruistic philosophy, however, doesn't discourage Obeid from partnering with, or promoting trendy food businesses.
    — Lyndsay C. Green, Freep.com, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Moving these forces back from the likely front would keep its options open and discourage risk-taking by eastern NATO members.
    — JENNIFER KAVANAGH, Foreign Affairs, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of discourage

Phrases Containing chill

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Cite this Entry

“Chill.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chill. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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