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
Amanda did not take kindly to my making fun of her house.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 23 Jan. 2026
The creators of a more participatory system of government did not take kindly to the notion that all people needed was a Mafia boss to offer them protection.
—Gal Beckerman, The Atlantic, 10 Jan. 2026
Oil executives have previously noted to Trump officials that the country has a history of hostage-taking, and local residents may not take kindly to foreign companies extracting their natural resources.
—David Goldman, CNN Money, 9 Jan. 2026
Crosby did not taking kindly to being shut down for the season, and Raiders coach Pete Carroll confirmed the 28-year-old pass rusher left the team's facility after being made aware of the decision.
—Jacob Camenker, USA Today, 27 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for take kindly to
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Brian Moylan, Vulture, 23 Jan. 2026
The creators of a more participatory system of government did not take kindly to the notion that all people needed was a Mafia boss to offer them protection.
—Gal Beckerman, The Atlantic, 10 Jan. 2026
Oil executives have previously noted to Trump officials that the country has a history of hostage-taking, and local residents may not take kindly to foreign companies extracting their natural resources.
—David Goldman, CNN Money, 9 Jan. 2026
Crosby did not taking kindly to being shut down for the season, and Raiders coach Pete Carroll confirmed the 28-year-old pass rusher left the team's facility after being made aware of the decision.
—Jacob Camenker, USA Today, 27 Dec. 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 28 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
