chilling effect
Americannoun
Etymology
Origin of chilling effect
First recorded in 1965–70
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
In law and social science, we call this impact a chilling effect – the behavioral tendency for people in face of a threat to self-censor and restrain their activities for self-protection.
From Salon • May 28, 2026
Shepard said the potential new law could be applied unevenly, and the language could have a chilling effect on investigative journalism.
From Los Angeles Times • May 4, 2026
The seven-year time limit is getting pushback from housing industry groups, which argue the requirement would have a chilling effect on construction.
From Barron's • Mar. 13, 2026
"This has had a chilling effect on my ability to conduct public interest journalism with source relationships damaged and, in some cases, destroyed."
From BBC • Feb. 24, 2026
But never had a pariah had such a chilling effect on bringers of death.
From "Scythe" by Neal Shusterman
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
