seek goodwill

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "seek goodwill" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing the desire to foster positive relationships or favorable conditions, often in a business or diplomatic context. Example: "In order to strengthen our partnership, we must seek goodwill among our stakeholders."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Seek goodwill and the good of others in all you do or say!

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Updated at 1.31pm BST 11.36am BST Fresh details of how News International apparently sought goodwill by dangling two offers of sponsorship in front of Boris Johnson are contained in evidence published by the Leveson inquiry, write David Leigh and Dave Hill.

The Guardian

As a result, a prince was inclined to seek the goodwill of his druzhina; he paid the druzhinniki wages, shared his war booty and taxes with them, and eventually rewarded the boyars with landed estates, complete with rights to tax and administer justice to the local population.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"We will seek friendship and goodwill with the nations of the world" — and then came the caveat — "but we do so with the understanding that it is the right of all nations to put their own interests first".

The New Yorker

America, which has many reasons to seek China's diplomatic goodwill, has publicly rebuked Taiwan over the referendum.

The Economist

Like the Russians and the Indians, the Iranians have sought to gain goodwill by providing relief aid.

The New York Times

The teenager being sought is Katlynn Goodwill Yost.

Los Angeles Times

Obama has sought to recapture goodwill through symbolic gestures.

Los Angeles Times

At the same time it is much more than that -- as he is seeking to harness goodwill towards his effort to create opportunities for others -- in this case, the communities in Africa who are benefitting from the work of Self Help Africa.

Huffington Post

Jayden simply sought to spread goodwill, something Westboro chooses not to do, "I believe that Jayden's story of spreading love and peace by raising awareness and money by way of a little pink lemonade stand is why so many people have embraced the story and felt compelled to take part in the movement".

Huffington Post

EF I appreciate hugely your goodwill in seeking to understand and defend what you know is a loathsome habit.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing formally, use "seek goodwill" to express the intention to establish positive relationships or favorable conditions, especially in business or diplomatic contexts.

Common error

While "seek goodwill" is grammatically correct, avoid using it excessively in casual conversation. Opt for more natural alternatives like "be friendly" or "get along" to maintain a comfortable tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "seek goodwill" functions as a verb phrase where "seek" is the verb and "goodwill" is the direct object. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

25%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Science

10%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "seek goodwill" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that indicates the action of trying to establish positive relationships or favorable conditions. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is usable in written English. While suitable for various contexts, it is predominantly found in news, business, and encyclopedic sources. Alternatives such as "foster goodwill" or "cultivate goodwill" may be more appropriate depending on the desired nuance. When aiming to create an atmosphere of trust and collaboration, "seek goodwill" remains a reliable and effective choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

foster goodwill

Implies nurturing and developing goodwill over time, suggesting a more active role.

cultivate goodwill

Similar to 'foster goodwill', emphasizes the deliberate effort to grow and maintain positive sentiment.

promote goodwill

Focuses on actively encouraging and spreading goodwill, often in a public or organizational context.

build rapport

Emphasizes establishing a connection and understanding between individuals or groups.

seek favor

Involves trying to gain approval or advantage, which may sometimes overlap with seeking goodwill.

seek amity

Implies the process of seeking friendly relations and peace.

pursue harmony

Suggests the activity of attempting to establish harmonious relationships and peaceful coexistence.

request cooperation

Focuses on seeking assistance or collaboration from others, often in a business or project setting.

ingratiate oneself

Suggests attempting to gain favor through flattery or charm, often implying a more self-serving motive.

curry favor

Similar to 'ingratiate oneself', but can imply a more manipulative or insincere approach.

FAQs

How can I use "seek goodwill" in a sentence?

You can use "seek goodwill" to describe an attempt to foster positive relationships, such as, "The company launched a campaign to "promote goodwill" within the community".

What are some alternatives to "seek goodwill"?

Alternatives to "seek goodwill" include "foster goodwill", "cultivate goodwill", or "build rapport", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "seek goodwill" or "find goodwill"?

"Seek goodwill" implies an active effort to create or establish positive relationships. "Find goodwill" suggests discovering existing goodwill, which carries a slightly different connotation.

What is the difference between "seek goodwill" and "seek friendship"?

"Seek goodwill" generally refers to establishing positive relationships in a broader sense, such as in business or diplomacy. "Seek friendship" refers specifically to forming personal bonds of friendship.