lukewarm reception

USAGE SUMMARY

'lukewarm reception' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when referring to a reaction or response that is not particularly enthusiastic or supportive - for example, "The CEO's speech was met with a lukewarm reception from the staff."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Marnie had a lukewarm reception.

The Guardian - Film

Many liberals have given Garland a lukewarm reception.

The Guardian

MSF gave a lukewarm reception to the findings.

The Guardian

The bankers gave Mr. Labastida a lukewarm reception.

The New York Times

But the incremental improvement received a lukewarm reception from investors.

The New York Times

Repeated attempts to mollify the others met a lukewarm reception.

The New York Times

The Local Government Association gave the plan a lukewarm reception.

The Guardian

The new film's lukewarm reception, let alone the current economic climate, make it a tall order.

The Economist

Give war a chance Europe's fault lines ReprintsThat received a lukewarm reception.

The Economist

Two years ago, a more compact four-cylinder version built in Japan received a lukewarm reception.

The New York Times

Parkland students and other activists reached out but have kept a distance, sensing a lukewarm reception.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "lukewarm reception" when you want to describe a response that is neither strongly positive nor strongly negative, but rather indifferent or mildly unenthusiastic. Ensure the context supports this nuanced meaning.

Common error

Avoid using "lukewarm reception" when a stronger negative term like "hostile rejection" or "strong disapproval" is more appropriate. "Lukewarm" implies a lack of enthusiasm, not outright opposition.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lukewarm reception" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often acting as the object of a verb. It describes the manner in which something was received, indicating a lack of enthusiasm or strong support. Ludwig AI confirms that it is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

97%

Wiki

3%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "lukewarm reception" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe a response lacking strong enthusiasm or support. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's readily usable in written English. Predominantly found in News & Media contexts, the phrase serves to convey a sense of mild negativity or indifference. When writing, remember that "lukewarm" implies a lack of zeal rather than outright rejection. For alternatives, consider "tepid response", "unenthusiastic welcome", or "cool reaction" to express a similar sentiment with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

tepid response

Similar in meaning but might imply less emotion or involvement than "lukewarm reception".

unenthusiastic welcome

Focuses more on the welcoming aspect, suitable for situations involving greetings or introductions.

cool reaction

Implies a lack of warmth or friendliness in the response.

mild approval

Indicates some level of acceptance but without strong endorsement.

faint praise

Suggests praise that is weak and insincere or given with reservation.

lackluster response

Highlights the poor or uninspired quality of the reaction.

reserved applause

Specifically relates to an audience's reaction, suggesting limited enthusiasm.

underwhelming reaction

Emphasizes that the response was not as strong or positive as expected.

half-hearted acceptance

Suggests acceptance given without much enthusiasm or commitment.

guarded welcome

Indicates a cautious or suspicious form of welcome, often implying potential reservations.

FAQs

What does it mean to say something received a "lukewarm reception"?

It means the thing was not enthusiastically welcomed or positively received. The response was mild or indifferent, rather than strongly favorable or unfavorable.

What can I say instead of "lukewarm reception"?

You can use alternatives like "tepid response", "unenthusiastic welcome", or "cool reaction" depending on the context.

Is "lukewarm reception" a negative term?

While not as strong as "negative reception", it indicates a lack of enthusiasm or strong support. It's generally understood as less than positive.

How to use "lukewarm reception" in a sentence?

For example, "The proposal received a "lukewarm reception" from the board members, who were hesitant to commit to such a risky venture".