willies
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.
But upon closer interrogation, the whole thing gave me the willies.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 14, 2026
My favorite horror movies this year laid off the flashy effects and instead gave me the unshakable willies the unshowy way: with creeping dread and uncertain stillness.
From New York Times • Dec. 19, 2022
Granted, discovering that her superfan collected one of her toenails does give the otherwise unflappable spirit a serious case of the willies.
From Salon • Dec. 29, 2021
He has happily embraced a form of mass-market fame that gives so many in the fashion industry the willies.
From Washington Post • Apr. 9, 2020
Can’t joke it away Can’t even talk to each other except maybe in whispers, all hush-hush, and that just revs up the willies.
From "The Things They Carried" by Tim O'Brien
