hardly welcome

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hardly welcome" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express that someone or something is not very welcome or is only slightly welcome in a particular situation. Example: "His comments were hardly welcome at the meeting, as everyone was already frustrated with the ongoing issues."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

Even the most isolationist congressman would hardly welcome that.

The Economist

But the windmills are hardly welcome everywhere in Cherry Valley.

The New York Times

Still, the competition is hardly welcome for Pfizer.

The New York Times

So the news that she needed brain surgery again was hardly welcome.

The New York Times - Health

In so unstable a continent, one saturated with weaponry, pouring in more guns is hardly welcome.

The Guardian - Opinion

These are hardly welcome new components of a well-oiled economy.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

Representative Turner's choral efforts were hardly welcomed by all or even by many.

The New York Times

But others watching the fight were outraged, especially many Britons who had hardly welcomed Tyson.

The New York Times - Sports

Sexual fluidity is hardly welcomed any more warmly than it was in 1973.

The Guardian

The manager, in the same vein, hardly welcomed reminders that Germany have never beaten Italy at a major tournament.

The Guardian - Sport

However, the product in question was dust from the Sahara, whipped into massive clouds by storms, borne westward by the wind and hardly welcomed in Texas.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "hardly welcome" to express a mild lack of enthusiasm or acceptance, indicating that something is technically welcome but not genuinely desired. For stronger disapproval, consider alternatives like "unwelcome" or "undesirable".

Common error

Avoid using "hardly welcome" when you mean something is completely and utterly unwelcome. "Hardly" implies a slight degree of acceptance, so ensure it aligns with your intended meaning. For complete rejection, opt for stronger phrases like "entirely unwelcome".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hardly welcome" functions as an adverbial modifier describing the degree to which something is welcome. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it suggests that something is technically welcome but not genuinely desired, or only minimally accepted. Examples from Ludwig show its use in various contexts, often implying a negative or undesirable situation.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "hardly welcome" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression, signifying that something is not enthusiastically or genuinely desired. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability in various contexts. Predominantly found in News & Media sources, the phrase serves to subtly convey disapproval or a lack of enthusiasm. When using "hardly welcome", it's essential to ensure that the mild connotation aligns with the intended message, avoiding its use when a stronger term of rejection is more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

scarcely welcome

Uses "scarcely" instead of "hardly", indicating a minimal degree of welcome.

barely welcome

Emphasizes the near absence of a welcoming reception.

not particularly welcome

A more explicit and slightly lengthier way of saying something is not very welcome.

less than welcome

Indicates a negative reception, implying something is unwelcome to some degree.

received poorly

Focuses on the negative reception rather than the lack of welcome.

met with disapproval

Highlights the disapproval that something encountered.

not well-received

Similar to "received poorly", but slightly more formal.

unenthusiastically received

Emphasizes the lack of enthusiasm in the reception.

greeted with indifference

Suggests a neutral or apathetic response rather than outright rejection.

given a cold reception

Implies an unfriendly or hostile welcome.

FAQs

How can I use "hardly welcome" in a sentence?

You can use "hardly welcome" to indicate that something or someone is not enthusiastically received. For example, "The news of the tax increase was "hardly welcome" by the community".

What's a more formal way to say "hardly welcome"?

A more formal alternative to "hardly welcome" could be "not well-received" or "unenthusiastically received", depending on the context.

What are some synonyms for "hardly welcome"?

Synonyms for "hardly welcome" include "scarcely welcome", "barely welcome", or "not particularly welcome".

Is it appropriate to use "hardly welcome" in formal writing?

Yes, "hardly welcome" is generally appropriate for formal writing, especially in news reports or analytical pieces. However, consider the nuance; it implies a mild degree of unwelcomeness rather than outright rejection.