badly received

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "badly received" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that was not well accepted or appreciated by an audience or group. Example: "The new policy was badly received by the employees, leading to widespread dissatisfaction."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Economists say any sign of profligacy will be badly received by financial markets.

The New York Times

In '48, he started writing plays, these, too, were badly received at first.

The New Yorker

His behaviour "has been very badly received [in the party], it is hurtful and might backfire on him one day".

The Economist

The union of Florence was badly received by the citizens of Constantinople and by most of the Eastern Orthodox world.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The suggestion that at least one-fifth of the miners are probably gay themselves is especially badly received.

Independent

"We don't think that conventional advertising will be very prevalent," he says, because it would "be badly received culturally".

The Economist

It was badly received, got a drubbing in the local press and was heavily vandalised by the public, including students.

The Guardian - Arts

Any thought of sending western troops into Syria would also be badly received – especially in the UK.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

At $4.5 million, "Urban Cowboy" is a relatively inexpensive musical by Broadway standards, but the original announcement that it would close after a mere four performance was still a shock in an industry in which even badly-received shows often stay open for months.

The New York Times

The Fantastic Four film received just 40/100 on reviews aggregator Metacritic and the quartet did not receive much of a sales spike following their almost-as-badly-received sequel The Rise of the Silver Surfer.

The Guardian

After two badly-received speeches on corporate reform and the economy, Mr Bush this week also moved on to make off-the-cuff comments.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "badly received", consider the specific nuance you want to convey. Alternatives like "poorly received" or "negatively received" might be more appropriate depending on the context.

Common error

Avoid overuse of the passive voice when using "badly received". Instead of saying "The proposal was badly received", consider an active construction like "The audience badly received the proposal" for a more direct and impactful statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "badly received" functions as an adjective phrase, typically modifying a noun to describe something that experienced a negative or unfavorable reception. Ludwig confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Encyclopedias

7%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Science

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "badly received" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe something that was not well-accepted or met with disapproval. As Ludwig confirms, it is widely used across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While "poorly received" serves as a close synonym, the choice between them depends on the specific intensity of negativity you intend to convey. When using this phrase, be mindful of the passive voice and consider more direct constructions for a stronger impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

poorly received

A direct synonym, indicating a negative or unfavorable reception.

was ill-received

A more formal synonym for "badly received".

negatively received

Emphasizes the negative aspect of the reception.

unfavorably received

Highlights the lack of favor or approval.

met with disapproval

Indicates active disagreement or dislike.

was frowned upon

Suggests a milder form of disapproval, often social or cultural.

did not go over well

An informal way to express a negative reaction.

encountered criticism

Focuses on the critical feedback received.

was rejected

Implies a stronger, more definitive refusal or lack of acceptance.

failed to impress

Indicates a lack of positive impact or admiration.

FAQs

What does "badly received" mean?

The phrase "badly received" means that something was not welcomed or accepted favorably. It implies a negative reaction or disapproval.

What can I say instead of "badly received"?

You can use alternatives like "poorly received", "negatively received", or "unfavorably received" depending on the context.

How is "badly received" different from "poorly received"?

While both phrases are similar, "badly received" may suggest a stronger negative reaction than "poorly received". The best choice depends on the specific degree of negativity you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "badly received by"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to say "badly received by". This indicates who or what did not react favorably, for example: "The new policy was badly received by the employees".