ambivalent
- Having mixed or contradictory feelings about something or someone at the same time.
In a sentence
- She felt ambivalent about the promotion, excited by the opportunity but dreading the longer hours.
- Voters remained ambivalent toward the candidate, appreciating his experience but distrusting his motives.
Usage note. 'Ambivalent' specifically means holding two opposing feelings simultaneously, not merely being indifferent or undecided; use 'indifferent' if someone simply does not care.
Where it comes from
English ambivalent · entered English early 20th c.
Coined in the early 20th century from Latin 'ambi' (both, on both sides) and 'valentia' (strength, capacity), from 'valere' (to be strong or worth). The term was introduced into psychology by Swiss psychiatrist Eugen Bleuler around 1910 to describe the coexistence of opposing emotional attitudes. It entered general English use by the 1920s.