ambivalent

adjective

am-ˈbi-və-lənt How to pronounce ambivalent (audio)
Definition of ambivalentnext
as in unsure
having a mixture of opposing feelings she's somewhat ambivalent about the relationship

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of ambivalent People feel ambivalent about scrolling feeds, Marika Lüders, a professor of media and communication at the University of Oslo, wrote to me on this point. — Kaitlyn Tiffany, The Atlantic, 2 Aug. 2026 Agazero’s new take on the genre retains a similarly ambivalent attitude toward the dancefloor. — Amanda Cavalcanti, Pitchfork, 31 July 2026 Overall, watching my previously ambivalent friends and family members really gain a new appreciation for this sport during this World Cup. — Adam Crafton, New York Times, 20 July 2026 The time may have passed for the Kremlin to consider the White House ambivalent as to the fate of Europe. — Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 6 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for ambivalent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ambivalent
  1. unsure
  2. conflicted
  3. afraid
  4. hesitant
  5. uncertain
Adjective
  • The titular gang comprises Mac (McElhenney), a closeted wannabe tough guy; the narcissistic prepster Dennis (Glenn Howerton); Dennis’s chronically unsure fraternal twin, Dee (Kaitlin Olson); and the bar’s buffoonish janitor, Charlie (Charlie Day).
    — Paula Mejía, New Yorker, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Still, stakeholders are unsure what effects a veto override will have.
    — Laura Horne, Charlotte Observer, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of unsure
Adjective
  • That perspective may be reassuring for parents who feel conflicted about screen time.
    — Tara Duncan, AJC.com, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Trump has appeared more conflicted with the conservative Supreme Court justices since February, when the court struck down his sweeping global tariffs in a 6-3 vote supported by Chief Justice John Roberts, Justice Neil Gorsuch and Barrett.
    — Antonio Pequeño IV, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
Definition of conflicted
Adjective
  • Dearborn Mayor Abdullah Hammoud spoke of community members, including children, who were afraid of the protesters coming to the city.
    — DeJanay Booth-Singleton, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Amanda takes off and sits on the grass, afraid this will happen to her.
    — Brian Moylan, Vulture, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of afraid
Adjective
  • But after descending into the genre for the series and then returning for its sudden ending, Brown can’t exactly blame those hesitant to do the same.
    — Hunter Ingram, Variety, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Approaching hesitant individuals Health experts said that addressing vaccine-hesitant people starts with listening rather than lecturing.
    — Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of hesitant
Adjective
  • Why people are uncertain about vaccines Vaccine hesitancy is much more complicated than outright opposition to vaccines, Steier said.
    — Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Traditional business moats are eroding, exemplified by Chegg's collapse, as the market prices certainty into an inherently uncertain technology, causing unprecedented volatility and layoffs.
    — Jemma Green, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of uncertain

Browse Nearby Words

ambits
ambivalent
amble
See all Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Ambivalent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ambivalent. Accessed 24 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on ambivalent

Nglish: Translation of ambivalent for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

How to Pronounce the Trickiest Menu Items

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Words of the Week - Aug. 21

16 Glee-ridden Words from Schitt's Creek
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
alt-684346df967d5
Add A Letter Quiz Pick the letter that goes in the same spot in fou...
See All