ambivalence

noun

am·​biv·​a·​lence am-ˈbi-və-lən(t)s 

1

: 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

2

a

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

b

: uncertainty as to which approach to follow

ambivalence about their goals

Examples of ambivalence in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The public’s ambivalence toward corporate chiefs cuts across gender, age, party, and even income. —Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 14 May 2026

Beijing has sought to navigate this ambivalence by engaging individual European governments while sidelining Brussels, a tactic that reliably antagonizes EU institutions. —Yu Jie, Time, 13 May 2026

Devil 2 has abandoned the old ambivalence about fashion’s role in the world. —Megan Garber, The Atlantic, 12 May 2026

Confidence in a conviction can coexist with appropriate ambivalence about the process and their own fallibility. —Sonali Chakravarti, The Conversation, 5 May 2026

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

Rhymes for ambivalence

• equivalence

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