Your Smart Vocabulary Companion

Etymology

Coined in 1910 by Swiss psychiatrist Eugen Bleuler from Latin "ambi-" (both) + "valentia" (strength, vigor). Originally a psychological term describing the coexistence of opposing emotions. Now used broadly in everyday language.

Usage Examples

1. "She felt ambivalent about the job offer - excited about the salary but worried about the long commute."

2. "His ambivalent attitude toward social media led to constantly deleting and reinstalling apps."

3. "Many people are ambivalent about technological progress, appreciating its benefits while fearing its consequences."

Synonyms

• Conflicted
• Uncertain
• Undecided
• Torn
• Mixed (feelings)

Antonyms

• Certain
• Decisive
• Sure
• Unequivocal
• Resolute

Fun Facts

• Don't confuse "ambivalent" with "indifferent" - ambivalent means having strong feelings on both sides, while indifferent means not caring at all.
• Ambivalence is considered a normal part of human psychology, especially during major life decisions.
• The famous Hamlet soliloquy "To be, or not to be" is perhaps literature's most famous expression of ambivalence.

Word Family

• Ambivalence (noun): The state of having contradictory feelings
• Ambivalently (adverb): In an ambivalent manner
• Univalent (adjective): Having only one valence or interpretation