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 former four-star recruit imposes his will in the run game and doesn’t take kindly to defenders who try to bull-rush his pocket.
—Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Apr. 2025
Game, who is currently on tour in Europe celebrating the 20th anniversary of debut album The Documentary, didn’t take kindly to West’s attempt to publicly call him out, lashing out at the Chicago producer in response via Instagram.
—Jessica Bennett, VIBE.com, 14 Apr. 2025
Smith didn't take kindly to that and went after James this morning.
—Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Mar. 2025
For one thing, the powers that be don’t take kindly to the idea of multiples.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 15 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for take kindly to
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Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Apr. 2025
Game, who is currently on tour in Europe celebrating the 20th anniversary of debut album The Documentary, didn’t take kindly to West’s attempt to publicly call him out, lashing out at the Chicago producer in response via Instagram.
—Jessica Bennett, VIBE.com, 14 Apr. 2025
Smith didn't take kindly to that and went after James this morning.
—Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Mar. 2025
For one thing, the powers that be don’t take kindly to the idea of multiples.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 15 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for 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 24 Apr. 2025.
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