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.
Still, the mere invocation of license revocation has a powerful chilling effect.
From Salon • Mar. 17, 2026
Gomez added that while attempts to pull licenses border on folly, Carr’s threats and attacks on the media can create a chilling effect and erode the public’s confidence in the press.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 16, 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.
