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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.

See Examples For:

chilling effect

It could create a chilling effect, said Robert Thompson, director of Syracuse University’s Bleier Center for Television and Popular Culture.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 30, 2026

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

From MarketWatch ● Jun. 5, 2026

Fifa offical Heimo Schirgi said: "The NJ Transit current pricing model will have a chilling effect."

From BBC ● Apr. 18, 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