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 constructions
He 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
… Grandfather was a strict Loyalist. He would not take kindly to anyone who criticized the king! Valerie Trip

Examples of take kindly to in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
For one thing, the powers that be don’t take kindly to the idea of multiples. David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 15 Feb. 2025 Naturally, China did not take kindly to American involvement in Panama’s decision. Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 8 Feb. 2025 South Koreans did not take kindly to Yoon’s power grab. John Delury, Foreign Affairs, 27 Jan. 2025 Wolff, however, did not take kindly to the comments and lashed out at his counterpart. Dan Cancian, Forbes, 5 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for take kindly to

Word History

First Known Use

1733, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of take kindly to was in 1733

Cite this Entry

“Take kindly to.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/take%20kindly%20to. Accessed 7 Mar. 2025.

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