spine-chilling

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "spine-chilling" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe something that is frightening or evokes a strong sense of fear or horror. Example: "The movie was so spine-chilling that I couldn't sleep for days after watching it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

But during my stay in early March, I encountered nothing more spine-chilling than the cool hands of a talented massage therapist.

The New York Times - Travel

It's incoherent, self-contradictory and, most shameful of all, never spine-chilling.

The Guardian - Film

They actually make a spine-chilling, deep-throated, prehistoric roaring noise, which reverberates spookily through the undergrowth.

The Guardian - Travel

The capacity crowd of 16,500 in the American Airlines Arena jumped up and gave Alonzo Mourning a spine-chilling ovation.

The New York Times - Sports

The Skirrid Mountain Inn dates back to the Norman Conquest, and its bloody past has given rise to some spine-chilling occurrences.

The Guardian - Travel

But he is far from the only high-ranking official who feels that these days the safest route is to issue as spine-chilling a forecast as possible.

The New York Times

Positively spine-chilling.

Huffington Post

The contents of the memos are spine-chilling.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

In the tight confines of the Minetta Lane Theater, the effect is seriously spine chilling.

The New York Times

Spine chilling!Brilliant!@HPPlayLDN #CursedChild !To be continued in part 2. As a Potter nut @HPPlayLDN was EVERYTHING.

Huffington Post

This could account for its electrifying, spine chilling effect much like Alien which was Ridley's tour de force and much like Tony's fast paced Unstoppable.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "spine-chilling" to describe experiences or stories that evoke a strong sense of fear, suspense, or excitement. It is particularly effective when describing horror films, ghost stories, or suspenseful situations.

Common error

Avoid using "spine-chilling" to describe situations that are merely surprising or slightly unpleasant. Reserve it for truly frightening or intensely suspenseful scenarios to maintain its impact.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "spine-chilling" is as a descriptive adjective. It modifies nouns to indicate that they cause a feeling of intense fear or excitement. Ludwig provides examples where it describes films, noises, and experiences.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Science

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Spine-chilling" is a commonly used adjective phrase that describes something that induces fear, nervousness, or excitement. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. Predominantly found in News & Media, it effectively highlights the intensity of experiences or narratives. While alternatives like "terrifying" or "frightening" exist, "spine-chilling" provides a specific nuance of a physical reaction to fear. When employing this phrase, ensure it aligns with genuinely frightening or suspenseful contexts to maintain its intended impact. The phrase enjoys considerable usage across diverse sources, making it a versatile choice for writers aiming to evoke strong emotions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

terrifying

Focuses more directly on causing terror.

frightening

A more general term for causing fear.

bloodcurdling

Implies a more visceral and shocking form of fear.

hair-raising

Suggests a reaction of physical tension and fear.

chilling

Shorter and slightly less intense.

eerie

Focuses on a sense of unease and strangeness.

unsettling

Describes something that makes you feel nervous or worried.

scary

A simple and common term for causing fear.

horrifying

Emphasizes extreme horror and disgust.

ominous

Suggests that something bad is going to happen.

FAQs

How to use "spine-chilling" in a sentence?

You can use "spine-chilling" to describe events, stories, or experiences that evoke fear or excitement. For example, "The movie was a "spine-chilling" tale of terror."

What can I say instead of "spine-chilling"?

You can use alternatives like "terrifying", "frightening", or "bloodcurdling" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "spine-chilling" or "chilling"?

Both ""spine-chilling"" and "chilling" are correct, but "spine-chilling" emphasizes a more intense and visceral feeling of fear or excitement.

What's the difference between "spine-chilling" and "eerie"?

"Spine-chilling" describes something that causes a strong physical reaction of fear or excitement, while "eerie" refers to something strange and unsettling.