chills out

verb

present tense third-person singular of chill out, slang
1
as in settles (down)
to become still and orderly stop making that racket, and just chill out!

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in relaxes
to get rid of nervous tension or anxiety if you don't chill out, you're going to get an ulcer

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 chills out As the cake chills out, add fresh raspberries to a blender pitcher and purée until smooth. — Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for chills out
  1. cools
  2. relaxes
  3. hushes
  4. winds down
  5. loosens up
  6. rests
  7. chills
Verb
  • Summer is a great time to revisit juicy, fresh, or sweet gourmands, but as the weather cools down, we’re reminded of more nuanced indulgences.
    — Loren Savini, Allure, 22 Aug. 2026
  • Hiking and boating are two excellent ways to spend your time here, but when the weather cools down, take advantage of trails designated for snowmobiling, snowshoeing, and skiing.
    — Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of cools
Verb
  • And then of course the jacuzzi, which releases tension and relaxes the muscles.
    — Arati Menon, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The advocates argue that the bill relaxes age-verification requirements and includes an advertising carveout for Google.
    — Benjamin Guggenheim, Washington Post, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of relaxes
Verb
  • Sweeping views over Hyde Park and expert soundproofing that hushes those busy London street horns.
    — Lewis Nunn, Forbes.com, 19 May 2026
  • The top itself is an eight-layer cloth construction that satisfyingly hushes the cabin when raised.
    — Brett Berk, Robb Report, 3 Sep. 2025
Definition of hushes
Verb
  • That fourth and final playoff rotation spot will be the one to follow as the season winds down.
    — Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026
  • By next year, the four new contracts will be awarded as Kiewit winds down its work at the site.
    — Mike Hellgren, CBS News, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of winds down
Verb
  • The two eventually connect and learn from each other; Ray loosens up and Molly grows up.
    — Kara Nesvig, Parents, 29 Aug. 2026
  • The hot queso frito loaded with Oaxaca cheese, salsa negra, pico, cilantro, and tortillas is richer and exactly the kind of dish that loosens up a group after a second round of drinks.
    — Rafael Peña, Miami Herald, 13 July 2026
Definition of loosens up
Verb
  • While much of the film’s reputation rests on Scott’s exquisite visual style, the director says credit must also be given to the rhythms Fancher created.
    — Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Her son Alex's bright red jacket rests on a hook by the door of her art studio.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of rests
Verb
  • The use of rap lyrics as evidence in criminal trials is controversial, with critics saying the practice chills creative expression and allows prosecutors to distort hyperbolic art in ways that reinforce racist stereotypes.
    — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Authorities say the case grew from overseas shipments flagged by customs, marking a third round of national security arrests that further chills Hong Kong’s already precarious independent book trade.
    — Kanis Leung, Los Angeles Times, 15 July 2026
Definition of chills

Browse Nearby Words

chills
chills out
chilly
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Chills out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chills%20out. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
skateboard-dog-hat
Wordmaxxing Slang Quiz Give your vocabulary a glow up by getting sendy w...
See All