ill received

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ill received" is correct and usable in written English.
It typically means that something has been met with a negative response or reaction. For example, "The new taxation policy was ill received by the public, leading to major protests."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

But perhaps, after "A Beautiful Mind" won its Academy Awards, this was destined to be the year when the mentally ill received their due.

The New York Times - Magazine

A split-second delay in the satellite feed threw the governor's timing off and his jokes were ill received by the studio audience, especially one about Mr. Letterman's recent heart surgery.

The New York Times

There were rumours at the time that the stars' relationship had blossomed off-screen too, a notion that was ill received in Sharif's native land in the light of Streisand's pro-Israeli sympathies.

The Guardian - Film

The singer, brought in as cover after the Canadian rapper Drake was taken ill, received loud boos as he stopped performing to talk about himself, often in the third person, as being a both "shy" and "arrogant" person.

Independent

He was very ill, received a liver transplant in the way people normally have such things done, and is now back in action.

TechCrunch

Both felt like it would not work out and be ill received by viewers.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Taxay recorded that the new policy "seem[s] to have been ill-received in certain quarters of the Mint" but that as not all records are extant, the specifics are uncertain.

Wikipedia

But not all of Yahoo's policies have been so ill-received.

Huffington Post

While various video games and the ill-received Doctor Who Live tour from 2010 have not always won praise, the Experience has turned into a popular tourist attraction.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Kurdish aspirations for self-determination were often ill-received, and Kurds historically experienced persecution or pressure to assimilate in their respective countries; the Kurds of Turkey received unsympathetic treatment at the hands of the government.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Cormac McCarthy, in his foray into screenwriting with the ill-received 2013 flick The Counselor, writes "reflective men often find themselves at a place removed from the realities of life".

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "ill received", ensure the context clearly indicates what was not well received. Be specific about the subject that elicited the negative reaction to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "ill received" when a milder term like "noted" or "acknowledged" would be more appropriate. "Ill received" implies a significant negative reaction, not just a neutral one.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ill received" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to describe its reception. As Ludwig AI confirms, it indicates a negative or unfavorable response.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Science

30%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "ill received" effectively communicates a negative reaction or unfavorable reception. As Ludwig AI points out, it's grammatically sound and usable in written English. While alternatives like "poorly received" or "met with disapproval" exist, "ill received" maintains a formal and neutral tone suitable for various contexts. Remember to consider the intensity of the negative reaction and choose the most appropriate term. Ludwig's examples show that it is mostly used in News & Media, Wiki and Science, and that is not a very common phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not well received

More verbose rephrasing with equivalent meaning.

poorly received

This alternative is a direct synonym, using an adverb to modify "received" instead of an adjective.

unfavorably received

Replaces "ill" with "unfavorably", providing a more formal tone.

met with disapproval

Uses a different verb and noun to convey the negative reaction.

greeted with hostility

Emphasizes a stronger negative reaction, implying antagonism.

faced criticism

Highlights the critical response to something.

unwelcome

A shorter, more direct way to express that something was not well received.

rejected

Focuses on the act of rejection rather than the reception.

was frowned upon

Emphasizes disapproval from society.

fell flat

Idiomatic expression indicating a lack of success or positive reception.

FAQs

How can I use "ill received" in a sentence?

You can use "ill received" to describe a proposal, idea, or action that was met with disapproval or hostility. For example, "The new policy was "poorly received" by the employees".

What's a synonym for "ill received"?

Alternatives to "ill received" include "unfavorably received", "met with disapproval", or "rejected". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "ill received" or "poorly received"?

Both "ill received" and "poorly received" are grammatically correct and have similar meanings. "Poorly received" might be slightly more common in contemporary usage, but "ill received" is also perfectly acceptable.

What does it mean when something is "ill received"?

When something is "ill received", it means it was not welcomed or accepted; instead, it was met with a negative or unfavorable reaction. It suggests a sense of disappointment, disapproval, or even hostility.