noun
ambivalence
am-BIV-uh-luns/æmˈbɪvələns/
Mixed or contradictory feelings about someone or something.
His affection for the puppy and dismay at the ruined slipper reveal ambivalence.
Etymology
The combination suggests strength on both sides: opposing feelings are present together rather than one simply replacing the other. Coined as a psychological term, ambivalence broadened into the everyday description of mixed feelings.
In context
how do we understand this group and how do we control them and what it did was create a conflict and ambivalence about how to understand children
More examples
- His smile concealed ambivalence about the promotion.
- The survey revealed public ambivalence toward the proposal.
- Her affection and resentment revealed deep ambivalence.
Forms
ambivalence
ambivalent adjective — having conflicting feelings
Similar words
- indifference
- Indifference means little concern; ambivalence means conflicting feelings, often strongly held.
- uncertainty
- Uncertainty is lack of sure knowledge or choice; ambivalence specifically involves mixed attitudes.