Ambivalent Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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ambivalent

[æmˈbɪv.əl.ənt ]

Definition

^{Context #1 | Adjective}

feelings towards something

Having mixed feelings or contradictory attitudes towards something or someone.

Synonyms

conflicted, doubtful, hesitant, uncertain.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
ambivalent	Used when someone has mixed or conflicting feelings about something. She felt ambivalent about leaving her hometown for a new job opportunity. His ambivalent feelings towards the project made it hard for him to commit.
uncertain	Used when someone is unsure about something, either because they lack information or because the situation is unclear. They were uncertain about the weather and decided to postpone the trip. She felt uncertain about which college to choose.
conflicted	Describes a strong feeling of being torn between two or more choices or emotions, often causing stress. He was conflicted about whether to tell his friend the truth. She felt conflicted between pursuing her career and spending more time with her family.
doubtful	Used when someone is uncertain or lacks confidence in something, often carrying a slightly negative connotation. He seemed doubtful about the success of the new marketing campaign. She felt doubtful that they would be able to finish the project on time.
hesitant	Refers to someone pausing or delaying because of uncertainty or indecision. He was hesitant to invest in the new start-up. She seemed hesitant to speak up during the meeting.

Examples of usage

I feel ambivalent about starting a new job.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Psychology

Psychologists Joseph and Susan Stretcher coined the term to describe the state of experiencing competing desires or emotions about a decision.
Ambivalence can be a natural part of emotional experience, reflecting how humans often hold contradictory feelings.
In decision-making, ambivalent feelings can lead to greater satisfaction if balanced, yet may also cause indecision.

Pop Culture

In literature, characters often embody ambivalence, creating tension and driving narratives forward, such as Hamlet's indecision.
The term frequently appears in song lyrics, capturing the essence of complex emotions in relationships.
Movies often depict ambivalent characters, such as in romantic comedies where love interests are torn between two choices.

Philosophy

Many philosophical discussions consider ambivalence as part of moral dilemmas, where individuals must confront conflicting values.
Existentialist philosophers often explore ambivalence in the context of choice, highlighting the anxiety it can create.
Ambivalent feelings are examined in ethical frameworks, as they may influence moral judgments.

Sociology

Ambivalence can be seen in social identities where individuals may feel pulled between cultural affiliations.
In studies of social behavior, ambivalence often leads to mixed reactions towards social norms and expectations.
Political ambivalence reflects citizens’ conflicted feelings towards policies or party affiliations, influencing voting behavior.

Origin of 'ambivalent'

Main points about word origin

The word comes from the Latin 'ambivalens', where 'ambi' means both and 'valent' means having strength, indicating a mix of feelings.
It entered the English language in the 20th century, often used in psychology to describe conflicted emotions.
The prefix 'ambi-' is also found in other words like 'ambidextrous', highlighting duality.

The word 'ambivalent' originated from the German word 'ambivalent', a term coined by Swiss psychologist Eugen Bleuler in the early 20th century. It combines the Latin roots 'ambi-' (meaning 'both') and 'valentia' (meaning 'strength'). The concept of ambivalence was further developed by Sigmund Freud in his work on psychoanalysis, exploring the coexistence of contradictory feelings within an individual.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #14,963, this word is part of sophisticated English vocabulary. It's useful for academic or professional contexts where precise language is needed.

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