tepid reply

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "tepid reply" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a response that is lukewarm, indifferent, or lacking enthusiasm. Example: "After my proposal, I received a tepid reply that did not inspire much confidence in my ideas."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

A successful chase looked fanciful, but England's tepid reply never had them in the game.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Pressed to explain this tepid response, he replied, "You said to me that you don't want to make any decisions until after the holidays.

The New Yorker

That idea drew a tepid response.

The New York Times

The latest version had a tepid response.

The New York Times - Tech

Washington's tepid response is embarrassing.

The New York Times

Dodgers channel price cut gets tepid response.

Los Angeles Times

We see a tepid response our physicians towards research activities.

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making

"Shot in the Dark," to be shown on Sunday on HBO, is about as tepid as that reply.

The New York Times - Arts

Obama's response was tepid at best.

Forbes

The initial response was tepid, at best.

Huffington Post

What we hear is the old-style, preacherly measure of Brooks's speech ("We are all, all, all, all precious in God's sight") and, in reply, no more than a tepid mutter.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "tepid reply", consider the context. It's best suited for situations where a response is not strongly negative, but noticeably lacking in enthusiasm or support. Using it implies a sense of disappointment or unmet expectations.

Common error

Avoid using "tepid reply" when the feedback is genuinely neutral or informative, rather than lacking enthusiasm. "Tepid" implies a degree of disappointment or lack of engagement, which may not be appropriate in all situations. Consider if a neutral term like "factual response" might be more suitable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tepid reply" functions as an adjective-noun combination where "tepid" modifies "reply". This combination denotes a response that is lacking in enthusiasm or forcefulness. Ludwig AI confirms the expression is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "tepid reply" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase to describe a response that lacks enthusiasm or strength. While infrequent in general usage, as per Ludwig's analysis, it effectively conveys a sense of disappointment or unmet expectations. The phrase is most commonly found in news and media contexts, suggesting its value in objectively describing reactions or feedback. Alternative expressions, such as "lukewarm response" or "unenthusiastic answer", offer subtle variations in emphasis. Understanding the connotations of "tepid reply" is key to employing it accurately and avoiding misapplication in neutral or overly negative situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lukewarm response

Replaces 'reply' with 'response', maintaining the sense of a mild or unenthusiastic answer.

unenthusiastic answer

Substitutes 'tepid' with 'unenthusiastic' and 'reply' with 'answer', directly stating the lack of excitement in the response.

feeble response

Uses 'feeble' to emphasize the weakness of the response.

weak answer

Emphasizes the lack of strength in the answer.

half-hearted response

Indicates a lack of commitment or enthusiasm in the response.

indifferent response

Highlights the lack of interest or concern in the response.

cold response

Suggests an unfriendly or unwelcoming reaction.

muted response

Emphasizes the quiet or subtle nature of the response.

lackluster reply

Uses 'lackluster' to describe the uninspiring quality of the reply.

underwhelming response

Highlights the failure of the response to meet expectations.

FAQs

What does "tepid reply" mean?

A "tepid reply" means a response that is lukewarm, unenthusiastic, or lacking in intensity. It suggests a lack of strong feeling or commitment to the subject at hand.

How can I use "tepid reply" in a sentence?

You might say, "The proposal received a "tepid reply" from the board, indicating a lack of strong support".

What are some alternatives to "tepid reply"?

Alternatives include "lukewarm response", "unenthusiastic answer", or "feeble response", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "tepid reply" a formal or informal phrase?

"Tepid reply" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though it might be slightly more common in formal writing or speech. However, there are situations, especially in highly informal contexts, where you might opt for a more direct expression of disinterest, but as Ludwig AI confirms, the expression is completely usable in written English.