chill 1 of 3

adjective

Definition of chillnext
1
as in icy
lacking in friendliness or warmth of feeling were met with a chill gaze when they arrived home late from the party

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2
as in chilling
uncomfortably cool this chill weather is making my teeth chatter

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3
as in cold
having a low or subnormal temperature no one should be coatless on a chill night as this

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4
as in dark
causing or marked by an atmosphere lacking in cheer the house's design may be cutting-edge, but it has a chill sterility about it that is anything but homey

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chill

2 of 3

noun

ˈchil How to pronounce chill (audio)
as in chilliness
an uncomfortable degree of coolness there's a chill in the air, so you'd better wear a sweater

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chill

3 of 3

verb

1
as in to freeze
to cause to lose heat chill the gelatin for two hours, until it sets

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2
as in to relax
to get rid of nervous tension or anxiety you want to hang out with us and just chill this weekend?

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3
as in to discourage
to lessen the courage or confidence of investors chilled by the floundering economy

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4
as in to lazy
to spend time doing nothing instead of going out tonight, let's stay in and chill

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of chill
Adjective
Make sure to choose an apple variety suited to your climate, as apples also need a certain number of chill hours to make fruit. — Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 July 2026 The 25, also non-chill filtered, is bottled at 47 percent ABV (94 proof), and that higher proof goes a long way to unlocking the flavor here. — Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 24 June 2026
Noun
Highs will top out in the middle 50s, but with the gusty winds, wind-chills will be in the 40s most of the day. — Gregory Padgett, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026 Gusty northwesterly winds will lead to wind chills in the mid- to upper 30s. — Kansas City Star, 15 Oct. 2026
Verb
Let sit at least 10 minutes or cover and chill up to 8 hours (no need to bring to room temperature before cooking if chilling). — Shilpa Uskokovic, Bon Appetit Magazine, 13 Oct. 2026 But Beth Wilkinson, who represented the network at last week’s hearing, warned that such a delay has the effect of chilling the network’s speech. — Ted Johnson, Deadline, 12 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for chill
Recent Examples of Synonyms for chill
  1. icy
  2. chilling
  3. cold
  4. dark
  5. chilliness
  6. freeze
  7. relax
  8. discourage
Adjective
  • In winter, some wetlands become more accessible as thick, spongelike layers of organic-rich peat freeze solid and become strong enough to support snow machines on their icy surfaces.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Set against the Swiss Alps, the story follows an Englishman (Spall) found barely alive in an icy mountain stream by local woman Alma (Deleila Piasko) and her young son, Franz.
    — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of icy
Adjective
  • Neither maudlin nor melodramatic, and without any glorification, the song is infected by the same chilling gloom which has glommed onto the best of Messrs Linkous, Berman, and Drake.
    — Gabriel Szatan, Pitchfork, 18 Oct. 2026
  • As Hal puts it the next morning, the chilling effect is very effective.
    — Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of chilling
Adjective
  • That level of pure confidence while talking to the person with cold, hard footage is what makes Lisa Barlow the perfect Real Housewife.
    — Tom Smyth, Vulture, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Shea’s supervisor confronted her when Shea’s findings in a cold case could not be replicated.
    — Julia Coin, Charlotte Observer, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of cold
Adjective
  • In these situations, withdrawing into a literal or symbolic dark room—avoiding sources of stress and going to a safe place—can be adaptive in the short term.
    — Maia Szalavitz, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Connie Britton and Sam Nivola lead the series created by Nick Paley that blends mystery, dark comedy and the awkwardness of adolescence.
    — Maira Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of dark
Noun
  • Or that Penélope Cruz’s sultry chilliness would jibe with either her male counterparts or Wilde’s diary-of-a-mad-housewife interpretation of a brittle, eager-to-impress woman brimming with creative frustration.
    — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 26 June 2026
Definition of chilliness
Verb
  • Two Utah residents who hiked Mount Shasta in Northern California were rescued after they became stranded during a perilous 36-hour journey through freezing conditions.
    — Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026
  • In winter, some wetlands become more accessible as thick, spongelike layers of organic-rich peat freeze solid and become strong enough to support snow machines on their icy surfaces.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of freeze
Verb
  • Potassium helps blood vessels relax, improving blood flow and helping lower blood pressure.
    — MD Published, Verywell Health, 17 Oct. 2026
  • So after that, the Iranian government withdrew the morality police from the streets and relaxed the dress code.
    — Ali Vaez, Foreign Affairs, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of relax
Verb
  • In its lawsuit, Arizona said ChatGPT encourages teens to share personal information with it and, at times, discourages them from sharing that information with parents, authorities or friends.
    — Marc Levy, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Amid reports of a surge in federal immigration raids, Los Angeles leaders and immigration advocates said Friday that the efforts appear aimed at discouraging turnout in the midterm elections, and urged voters not to be intimidated.
    — Melissa Gomez, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of discourage

Phrases Containing chill

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Cite this Entry

“Chill.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chill. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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