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chilling effect

American

noun

a discouraging or deterring effect, especially one resulting from a restrictive law or regulation.

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.

This had a chilling effect on tech-loving individual investors.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 5, 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 fine was issued by the Office for Students, the regulator of England's universities, over the university's trans and non-binary inclusion policy which it said had a "chilling" effect on free speech.

From BBC • Apr. 29, 2026

The change raised immediate legal concerns and, advocates say, contributed to a chilling effect, with some eligible households opting not to participate.

From Salon • Apr. 6, 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