Ambivalent

/æmˈbɪv.ə.lənt/

Meaning & Definition

adjective

having mixed feelings or contradictory ideas about something or someone.

She felt ambivalent about moving to a new city; excited for a fresh start but sad to leave her friends behind.

uncertain or unable to decide about what course to follow.

His ambivalent attitude towards the company’s new policies left colleagues unsure of how to proceed.

characterized by a simultaneous attraction toward and repulsion from a particular object or idea.

The ambivalent relationship between the two nations made diplomatic negotiations quite complex.

having or showing simultaneous and contradictory attitudes or feelings toward an object, person, or action.

While he admired her talent, he was ambivalent about her decision to pursue a career in the spotlight.

From Latin 'ambivalens', meaning 'having two valences' or 'two values'.

ambivalent feelings

mixed emotions or contradictory feelings about a situation.

ambivalent attitude

having conflicting views or sentiments toward someone or something.

ambivalence

the state of having mixed feelings or contradictory ideas about something or someone.

ambivalency

the quality of being ambivalent.