ambivalence

noun

am·biv·a·lence am-ˈbi-və-lən(t)s

: simultaneous and contradictory attitudes or feelings (such as attraction and repulsion) toward an object, person, or action

felt ambivalence toward his powerful father

ambivalence toward marriage

: continual fluctuation (as between one thing and its opposite)

: uncertainty as to which approach to follow

ambivalence about their goals

Examples of ambivalence in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web But does that mean there’s no room for ambivalence? —

Carolyn Hax, Washington Post, 2 July 2024 This conception of Black motherhood as inherently and always political, Nash points out, leaves little room for the ambivalence about mothering that is a hallmark of (white) feminism. —

Jenny Noyce, JSTOR Daily, 28 June 2024 Beyond the Wall: A History of East Germany Hoyer re-creates the ambivalence of life in the German Democratic Republic. —

Andrew Moravcsik, Foreign Affairs, 10 June 2024 Popular ambivalence has translated into only providing a fraction of the aid required to meet need everywhere from Ukraine to Gaza. —

Kaete O’Connell / Made By History, TIME, 22 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for ambivalence

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'ambivalence.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from German Ambivalenz, from ambi- ambi- + -valenz, in Äquivalenz equivalence

Note: See note at ambivalent.

First Known Use

1909, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of ambivalence was in 1909

See more words from the same year

Articles Related to ambivalence

Another Ten Ways to Improve Your...

Simple But Intelligent Word Choices, Vol. 3

Are You Misusing These 10 Common Words?

You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.

Ambiguous vs. Ambivalent: Dispelling...

No ambiguity here: while both words start with 'ambi', they have very different meanings

Cite this Entry

Style

“Ambivalence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ambivalence. Accessed 7 Jul. 2024.

Copy Citation

Medical Definition

ambivalence

noun

am·biv·a·lence am-ˈbiv-ə-lən(t)s

: simultaneous and contradictory attitudes or feelings (as attraction and repulsion) toward an object, person, or action

ambivalence which is expressed in behavior by alternating obedience and rebellion—

G. S. Blum

ambivalent

-lənt

adjective

ambivalently adverb

Last Updated: 5 Jul 2024 - Updated example sentences

Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.

Can you solve 4 words at once?

Word of the Day

deference

See Definitions and Examples »

Get Word of the Day daily email!

ambivalence

noun

Examples of ambivalence in a Sentence

Word History

Dictionary Entries Near ambivalence

Cite this Entry

Medical Definition