View synonyms for

ambivalent

[ am-biv-uh-luhnt ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

adjective

having mixed feelings about someone or something; being unable to choose between two (usually opposing) courses of action:
The whole family was ambivalent about the move to the suburbs.
She is regarded as a morally ambivalent character in the play.
Psychology. of or relating to the coexistence within an individual of positive and negative feelings toward the same person, object, or action, simultaneously drawing that individual in opposite directions.

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Other Word Forms

��·��a·��Գ�·�� adverb

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Word History and Origins

Origin of ambivalent¹

Back formation from ambivalence

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

But here she is ambivalent both about the maternal role and even, at times, about her daughter.

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Like most people nowadays, Violet and Henry claim to be ambivalent about modern technology, even as a dating app has brought them together.

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According to the psychiatrist, Aswat was "highly ambivalent about the need for medication and had relapsed twice as a result of stopping treatment", which had coincided with violent outbursts.

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Kilmer was exacting about his work, ambivalent about fame and disinclined to spend much time with the press.

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I want to ask a "Starstruck" question because you have spoken before about the ambivalent and tense relationship we all have with the rom-com.

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Related Words

ambivalence ambivalent sexism

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