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
George Orwell’s dystopian classic blends political and science fiction into a chilling panorama of high-level surveillance and manipulation. — Caroline Rogers, Southern Living, 22 Aug. 2026 In August 2026, Paramount+ revealed that season 4 will premiere in November 2026 and shared a chilling teaser of what’s to come. — Christopher Rudolph, PEOPLE, 21 Aug. 2026
Verb
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow was seen over the weekend chilling on the field with Sports Illustrated Swimsuit model Olivia Ponton after practice. — Sean Joseph Outkick, FOXNews.com, 11 Aug. 2026 If the dough is still too sticky after chilling, mix in a small amount of flour, lightly dust your hands and work surface with flour, or pipe the dough instead of rolling or shaping it by hand, David suggests. — Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 10 Aug. 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 the attractive secretary, she is forced to fend off not only Hart’s advances (with the cheery but firm dexterity of a woman with no alternative and many years of practice) but also the chilly scorn of her female colleagues.
    — Culture Critic, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026
  • That first chilly day of the year means mice, stink bugs, Asian lady beetles and more become residents of your home.
    — Alora Bopray, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of chilly
Verb
  • We’re used to puréeing watermelons with sugar syrup and freezing it into granita.
    — Will Barker, TheWeek, 24 Aug. 2026
  • On the other extreme, some species of squirrels enter super deep hibernation where their body temperature can go very close to freezing.
    — Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of freezing
Verb
  • At a little under two feet, the can’t-miss fixture spreads a warm light that creates a welcoming atmosphere for reading, relaxing, or sharing drinks without harsh overhead lighting or a spindly, corner-lurking, fluorescent presence.
    — Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Julie Huntsinger has spent two decades as the guardian of the Telluride Film Festival — a jewel box of off-duty movie stars and power players relaxing in the mountains and a consequential launchpad for the fall awards season.
    — Clayton Davis, Variety, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of relaxing
Verb
  • At the same time, government officials have cast doubt on the safety of vaccines, further discouraging vaccination.
    — Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Lieu expressed concern that security perimeters would be so large during the Games that drop-off points would be even more distant, necessitating walks of up to half an hour, discouraging fans from taking buses.
    — James Rainey, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of discouraging
Verb
  • Most recently, Céline Dion, Lucy Hale, and Sofia Richie Grainge were spotted in matching ensembles for outdoor activities, casual outings, and lounging at home.
    — Rachel Trujillo, PEOPLE, 22 Aug. 2026
  • Made with a buttery-soft, lightweight fabric, these comfy pants will make lounging on the couch watching Halloween movies even better thanks to a $25 sale price.
    — Melony Forcier, InStyle, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of lounging
Adjective
  • Judd’s furniture asks you to admire it; Heilmann’s asks you to sit down and chill.
    — Jerry Saltz, Vulture, 18 Aug. 2026
  • 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
Definition of chill
Verb
  • Analysts point out that on one hand, droughts can hamper hydroelectric generation, while high temperatures raise cooling demand and strain power grids.
    — , CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Conventional liquid cooling needs pumps, tubing, and reservoirs, which can consume space and add weight.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 28 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 1 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on chilling

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about chilling

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