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

For his part, Harris, 70, has expressed burning ambivalence about the film. —Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 29 Apr. 2026

Your portrayal of Naema’s ambivalence, her pride, her shame at being unable to use her medical degree and skills in this new country, her anger at Jimmy and also her appreciation of his saving her life, and her son and mother-in-law, is masterful. —Literary Hub, 28 Apr. 2026

His music is, in the best sense, grown-up, proof that a gifted songwriter can tackle the headiest, heaviest topics, compressing a novel’s worth of ideas, intelligence, irony, urbanity, humor and ambivalence into four minutes. —New York Times, 28 Apr. 2026

The veteran troubadour elaborated on his ambivalence about his upcoming lifetime honor during two in-depth San Diego Union-Tribune interviews. —George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Apr. 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