chilling

[ chil-ing ]

adjective

1. causing or likely to cause a chill:

   the chilling effect of the high unemployment rate.

Word History and Origins

Origin of chilling¹

chill + -ing ²

Example Sentences

He also played a chilling video of House members instructing one another to take off their identifying lapel pins.

From Washington Post

It’s a chilling, truly absorbing film with big implications for the future.

From Vox

When that’s what gets her fired, it’s a pretty chilling message to send to your employees.

From Washington Post

As the world watched rioters take over the US Capitol on January 6, the lack of security was chilling.

From MIT Technology Review

“The government now wants a do-over, sending a chilling warning to American business that no sale is ever final,” she said.

From Washington Post

But the simultaneously gripping and chilling hold of Serial is that its characters are real people.

From The Daily Beast

The result can be the indifference that appears so chilling in the Garner video.

From The Daily Beast

Another chilling recipe for injustice and resentment by closing down the open society you seek to promote.

From The Daily Beast

Neither, too, was as chilling, as affecting, or, at times, as much of a slog.

From The Daily Beast

Imagine the chilling effect this would have on senators thinking about sticking around for a fourth term and beyond.

From The Daily Beast

The night wind sweeps across the cheerless park, chilling us to the bone.

From Project Gutenberg

There is something cold and chilling in the supports which pride and philosophy alone can afford under the calamities of life.

From Project Gutenberg

There was a bone-chilling breeze off the Drive that made Lamb belt his coat tighter about him.

From Project Gutenberg

I didn't dare think what kind of soul-chilling tones might emerge from its ancient depths.

From Project Gutenberg

But note the shudder in the third line when the accent is changed on the word “chilling.”

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• eerie
• horrifying
• shocking
• thrilling