Meaning & use
ambivalent
Last updated
Meanings
adjectivecomparable
Having mixed or contradictory feelings or attitudes about someone or something at the same time.
Grammar: Usually followed by about or toward(s); it means feeling both ways strongly, not feeling nothing.
Patterns
- ambivalent about something
- ambivalent toward(s) someone
- feel ambivalent
She felt ambivalent about leaving her hometown for a new job.
He is ambivalent toward his strict but caring father.
Many voters remain ambivalent about the proposed law.
adjectivebefore a nountechnical
Containing or expressing contradictory ideas, feelings, or attitudes at the same time.
Grammar: Describes attitudes, messages, or relationships that pull in two directions.
Patterns
- an ambivalent attitude/relationship/message
- ambivalent feelings
Their long ambivalent relationship finally ended.
The film sends an ambivalent message about wealth and happiness.
Word forms
| comparative | more ambivalent |
|---|---|
| superlative | most ambivalent |
Common combinations
- ambivalent about/toward(s)
- He's deeply ambivalent about becoming a father.
- feel ambivalent
- I feel ambivalent: the offer is exciting but the move would be hard.
- an ambivalent attitude
- Her ambivalent attitude toward money caused constant arguments.
- deeply/highly ambivalent
- Doctors are deeply ambivalent about the new drug's risks.
Synonyms and how they differ
- conflicted
- Conflicted describes being torn inside; it is close to ambivalent but more informal and less tied to the about/toward pattern.
- torn
- Torn means pulled between two strong choices; it fits decisions more than general attitudes.
- in two minds
- A British informal phrase meaning undecided between two options; ambivalent is stronger and more formal.
Opposites
Word family
- ambivalence noun
- the state of having mixed or contradictory feelings.
- ambivalently adverb
- in a way that shows mixed feelings.
Commonly confused: ambivalent or ambiguous?
ambivalent vs ambiguous
Ambiguous means unclear or having more than one meaning; ambivalent means having mixed feelings. A sentence can be ambiguous while a person is ambivalent.
Practice
Choose the sentence where “ambivalent” is used correctly.
Choose one answer.
Ambivalent describes a person having mixed feelings, and wanting the promotion but fearing the loss fits perfectly. Weather and instructions are unclear (ambiguous), and sitting in a corner is unrelated.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “ambivalent”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.