poorly received

USAGE SUMMARY

"poorly received" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that has been met with a negative response. For example: Her latest book was poorly received by critics.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Human Nature" was poorly received.

The New York Times

Yet the new computers were poorly received.

The Economist

These have mostly been poorly received.

The New York Times

The poorly received Goal! trilogy fell between every stool possible.

The Guardian - Film

"It was the most poorly received pilot ever," Davies recalls.

The New York Times - Magazine

Next two albums are more experimental but poorly received.

The Guardian

Much to Eakins's disappointment, "The Gross Clinic" was poorly received.

The New York Times - Health

It was poorly received when it was published (H.

The New Yorker

It was poorly received and attended, he conceded.

The New York Times

The work of Bolyai and of Lobachevsky was poorly received.

Britannica

In our research, this approach was poorly received by customers.

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the reception of creative works, use "poorly received" to indicate that the work was not successful with its intended audience or critics. For example: "The movie was "poorly received" by critics, despite its impressive visual effects."

Common error

Avoid using "poorly received" without a clear subject. Ensure it's evident who or what did the receiving. For example, instead of saying "The changes were "poorly received"", specify "The changes were "poorly received" by the employees".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "poorly received" primarily functions as an adjective phrase, typically modifying a noun to describe something that was met with a negative or unfavorable reaction. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Wiki

22%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Science

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "poorly received" is a common and grammatically sound adjective phrase used to describe something that was met with a negative reaction. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. The phrase appears most frequently in news and media, but is also found in encyclopedias and wikis. While generally neutral in tone, it can be adapted for more formal or informal contexts. For variety, consider using alternatives like "unfavorably received" or "met with disapproval". When using the phrase, ensure that the subject is clear to avoid any ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unfavorably received

This alternative emphasizes the negative sentiment of the reception.

badly received

This is a more direct and common synonym, simply replacing "poorly" with "badly".

met with disapproval

This alternative shifts the focus to the act of disapproval.

not well-liked

This alternative uses simpler language and focuses on popularity.

failed to impress

This phrase emphasizes the lack of positive impact or admiration.

panned by critics

This alternative specifies that the negative reception came from critics.

unenthusiastically welcomed

This phrase suggests a lack of excitement or warmth in the reception.

greeted with hostility

This alternative indicates a more aggressive negative reaction.

did not resonate

This emphasizes a lack of connection or understanding with the audience.

flopped

This is a more informal term, implying a complete failure.

FAQs

What does "poorly received" mean?

The phrase "poorly received" means something was met with disapproval, dislike, or a lack of enthusiasm. It indicates a negative reaction from an audience, critics, or other recipients.

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

You can use "poorly received" to describe how something was regarded by others, such as: "The new policy was "poorly received" by the staff", or "His latest performance was "badly received" by the audience".

What are some alternatives to "poorly received"?

Some alternatives to "poorly received" include "unfavorably received", "met with disapproval", or "failed to impress". The best alternative depends on the specific context.

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

Both "badly received" and "poorly received" are grammatically correct and convey a similar meaning. "Badly received" might be considered slightly more common, but the choice depends on personal preference and the specific nuance you want to convey. They are largely interchangeable.