as in unsure
having a mixture of opposing feelings
she's somewhat ambivalent about the relationship
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Recent Examples of ambivalent
In the North the novel turned many previously ambivalent people into abolitionists.
—
Tara Ramanathan, Encyclopedia Britannica, 17 Mar. 2026
A lot of the ambivalent parent discourse tends to coagulate around white cis-het mothers of a certain milieu.
—Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 16 Mar. 2026
Even if people are ambivalent about their actual songs, their influence in the feel and sensibility of metal is undeniable.
—Devon Ivie, Vulture, 12 Mar. 2026
Most are, at best, ambivalent about pedestrians.
—Terry Castleman, Los Angeles Times, 10 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ambivalent
Tara Ramanathan, Encyclopedia Britannica, 17 Mar. 2026
A lot of the ambivalent parent discourse tends to coagulate around white cis-het mothers of a certain milieu.
—Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 16 Mar. 2026
Even if people are ambivalent about their actual songs, their influence in the feel and sensibility of metal is undeniable.
—Devon Ivie, Vulture, 12 Mar. 2026
Most are, at best, ambivalent about pedestrians.
—Terry Castleman, Los Angeles Times, 10 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ambivalent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ambivalent
Adjective
-
Louise had always felt unsure of how to interact with the eldest daughter.—
Catherine Lacey,
New Yorker,
5 Apr. 2026
-
Kelly Wachel, the district’s chief communications officer, told The Star that Park Hill is unsure what a second, broader limit to property tax revenue could mean for their schools if approved by voters.—
Jenna Ebbers,
Kansas City Star,
4 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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And that’s exactly where the Heat finds itself — for a second consecutive year — leaving its fans in something of a conflicted position as the season’s final days play out.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
6 Apr. 2026
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Yet the murals remain a singularly ambitious attempt to map American life, past and present, exposing the fault lines in conflicted visions of national history and identity.—
John P. Murphy,
ARTnews.com,
5 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Don’t be afraid to wear your heart on your sleeve.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
8 Apr. 2026
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Is the economy struggling, with layoffs and wary investors afraid to lend?—
Alex Mayyasi,
NPR,
7 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Artists are often secretive creatures, hesitant to disclose too much, and none more so than Marcel Duchamp, who spun slipperiness into an art form.—
Alex Greenberger,
ARTnews.com,
8 Apr. 2026
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Traders had expected the Fed would be hesitant to cut this year as the Iran conflict had sent energy prices skyrocketing, threatening the central bank’s efforts to get inflation back to its 2% goal.—
Jeff Cox,
CNBC,
8 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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That puts them at the forefront of an asset class that is looking uncertain, although their overall exposure is still relatively small compared to their vast holdings.—
Kelsey Warner,
semafor.com,
9 Apr. 2026
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Law enforcement officers are often forced to make split-second decisions in uncertain circumstances.—
Jim Cook,
Baltimore Sun,
9 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ambivalent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ambivalent. Accessed 11 Apr. 2026.
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