take kindly to
idiomatic phrase
: to feel or show an inclination or willingness to accept or approve of (something or someone)
She congratulated herself still more on observing in the course of days that Mr Verloc seemed to be taking kindly to Stevie's companionship.—
Joseph Conrad
—usually used in negative constructionsJoseph ConradHe doesn't take kindly to criticism. [=he doesn't like to be criticized]
But Terry Gilliam has never been a company man. … He has never taken kindly to the controls of studio heads and accountants …—Kathi Maio
Kathi Maio… Grandfather was a strict Loyalist. He would not take kindly to anyone who criticized the king!—Valerie Trip
Valerie TripExamples of take kindly to in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The reason, of course, is that the reception from a notoriously vocal and passionate fan base that doesn’t take kindly to rejection will undoubtedly not be a kind one.
—Kevin Kurz, The Athletic, 10 Jan. 2025
If Kennedy gets confirmed to lead HHS, he will quickly be confronted with the reality that governing is a slow and tedious process that doesn’t take kindly to big, bold ideas, even with an impatient leader like Trump calling the shots.
—Nicholas Florko, The Atlantic, 25 Nov. 2024
Rachel’s not a songbird who takes kindly to a cage, especially the protective fence that Farmer erects.
—Duane Byrge, The Hollywood Reporter, 25 Nov. 2024
Jake explored further and found that people have not taken kindly to Warner Bros. Discovery or the BBC (which airs Rowling adaptation Strike) over this.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 20 Dec. 2024
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Kevin Kurz, The Athletic, 10 Jan. 2025
If Kennedy gets confirmed to lead HHS, he will quickly be confronted with the reality that governing is a slow and tedious process that doesn’t take kindly to big, bold ideas, even with an impatient leader like Trump calling the shots.
—Nicholas Florko, The Atlantic, 25 Nov. 2024
Rachel’s not a songbird who takes kindly to a cage, especially the protective fence that Farmer erects.
—Duane Byrge, The Hollywood Reporter, 25 Nov. 2024
Jake explored further and found that people have not taken kindly to Warner Bros. Discovery or the BBC (which airs Rowling adaptation Strike) over this.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 20 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for take kindly to
Dictionary Entries Near take kindly to
Cite this Entry
“Take kindly to.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/take%20kindly%20to. Accessed 18 Jan. 2025.
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