spine-chillingˈspine-ˌchilling adjective 
Examples
► see thesaurus at frightening—spine-chiller noun [countable]
ExamplesEXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
Thesaurus- The collection includes a spine-chilling ghost story by Edgar Allan Poe.
- The only journalist to witness the rebellion gave a spine-chilling account of atrocities carried out by both sides.
- As for the promise to ban fox-hunting, it was given with such a blithe nonchalance as to be spine-chilling.
- He opened his eyes and was instantly aware of utter, spine-chilling silence.
- Head for the roller-coasters for a spine-chilling ride.
- Recollection of the day it visited Millbrook is especially spine-chilling.
- She talked about her boyfriends in a tone of most frightful, spine-chilling, whimsy determination, and they took it.
THESAURUSvery frightening► terrifying
a spine-chilling story or film is very frightening in a way that people enjoy extremely frightening: · a terrifying thought· The experience was absolutely terrifying.· She spoke of the terrifying ordeal (=a very bad experience) when three armed men burst into her house.
► hair-raising very frightening and involving danger, in a way that is exciting: · hair-raising stories· a hair-raising motorcycle ride through the streets of Havana
► spine-chilling very frightening – used about films, stories etc that involve frightening or cruel events: · a spine-chilling novel by Stephen King
► blood-curdling especially literary [only before noun] very frightening – used especially about sounds: · a blood-curdling scream· a blood-curdling growl
Longman Language Activatormaking you feel frightened► frightening making you feel frightened: · Driving in big cities can be pretty frightening for many people.it's frightening: · There are so many people with guns these days, it's really frightening.it is frightening to do something: · It's frightening to think that something like this can happen in America today.a frightening experience/thought/prospect: · It was the most frightening experience of my life.· After so many years, going back to college and studying was a frightening prospect.
► terrifying very frightening: · They stopped me, and I saw that they had a gun. It was terrifying.· I opened my eyes, and tried to banish the terrifying images of the plane falling from the sky, and crashing into the sea.a terrifying scream/crash/sound etc: · There was a terrifying crash, and the house seemed to shake.a terrifying experience/ordeal/thought: · It had been a terrifying ordeal, but now, at last, he was free.
► scary especially spoken frightening - use this especially about stories, films, or situations in which strange or frightening things happen: · She didn't like the film. It was too scary for her.· I had a really scary dream last night.it's scary: · I don't regret my decision to start a new life, in a new country. It's scary, but it's also really exciting.· a big scary monster
► spooky a place or story that is spooky is frightening, especially because it is dark, strange etc: · The forest is really spooky in the dark.· Will you shut up about ghosts! You always scare me with that spooky talk!· I remembered that spooky feeling of being alone in the woods, and feeling that you are being watched by supernatural eyes.· We sat around the fire and told spooky tales.
► creepy a creepy feeling or place is one that is strange and makes you feel nervous and frightened, especially because you think that someone or something frightening might be there: · The house looked OK from the outside but inside it was all dark and creepy.· This place is really creepy. Let's get out of here.· I got a real creepy feeling on the way over there, as if someone was watching me.
► chilling a fact, statement or experience that is chilling , makes you feel frightened or shocked, because it is extremely cruel, violent, dangerous etc: · The lawyer gave a chilling demonstration of how the accused used a towel to suffocate his victim.· The captain's message ended with the chilling words: "Mission completed. All prisoners disposed of.''· The case is a chilling reminder of how ordinary, seemingly respectable citizens still have racist and deeply intolerant views.
► hair-raising an experience that is hair-raising is frightening because it is very dangerous: · We ended up making a hair-raising 200-kilometre night drive to the border.· After various hair-raising adventures in Afghanistan, Newcombe settled in Northern India.hair-raising tale/story : · Jenny had lots of adventures, travelling all over the world and always coming home with hair-raising stories.
► spine-chilling something such as a story, film, or statement that is spine-chilling is frightening because it clearly describes or shows frightening or evil events: · The collection includes a spine-chilling ghost story by Edgar Allan Poe.· The only journalist to witness the rebellion gave a spine-chilling account of atrocities carried out by both sides.
► blood-curdling: blood-curdling scream/howl/roar etc very frightening or made by someone who is extremely frightened: · Mary went upstairs to look for Dean and seconds later I heard a blood-curdling scream.· the blood-curdling howls of the wolves in the forest
► see thesaurus at frightening—spine-chiller noun [countable]