Ambivalence

B2 16+

Pronunciation: /æmbɪvələns/

Definitions of ambivalence

noun the state of having mixed feelings or contradictory ideas about something or someone

Example Sentences

A1 I feel ambivalence about going to the party because I am not sure if I will enjoy it.

A2 She showed ambivalence towards the new job offer, unsure if it was the right move for her career.

B1 The politician's ambivalence on the issue frustrated voters who wanted a clear stance.

B2 The artist's ambivalence towards fame was evident in her reluctance to participate in interviews.

C1 The CEO's ambivalence towards the merger reflected his cautious approach to business decisions.

C2 The professor's ambivalence towards technology in the classroom was a topic of debate among faculty members.

adjective having mixed feelings or contradictory ideas about something or someone

Example Sentences

A1 I have mixed feelings about the new movie - I feel ambivalent about it.

A2 She couldn't decide whether to accept the job offer or not, feeling ambivalent about the opportunity.

B1 The politician's ambivalence towards the controversial issue left many of his supporters confused.

B2 The artist's ambivalent attitude towards fame and recognition was evident in his interviews.

C1 Her ambivalence towards starting a family stemmed from her career aspirations and personal goals.

C2 The CEO's ambivalence towards the merger raised concerns among the board members about his leadership abilities.

Examples of ambivalence in a Sentence

formal The patient's ambivalence towards starting a new medication was evident during the consultation.

informal I can't decide if I want to go to the party or stay home, I'm feeling ambivalent about it.

slang I'm so ambivalent about this job offer, I just don't know if it's the right fit for me.

figurative Her ambivalence towards commitment was like a seesaw, constantly shifting back and forth.

Grammatical Forms of ambivalence

past tense

ambivalenced

plural

ambivalences

comparative

more ambivalent

superlative

most ambivalent

present tense

ambivalence

future tense

will ambivalent

perfect tense

have ambivalenced

continuous tense

am ambivalencing

singular

ambivalence

positive degree

ambivalent

infinitive

to ambivalence

gerund

ambivalencing

participle

ambivalencing

Origin and Evolution of ambivalence

First Known Use: 1912 year
Language of Origin: German
Story behind the word: The word 'ambivalence' originated from the German word 'Ambivalenz', which was coined by Swiss psychiatrist Eugen Bleuler in the early 20th century.
Evolution of the word: Originally used in psychology to describe conflicting emotions or attitudes towards a person, object, or idea, the term 'ambivalence' has since expanded to refer to any situation involving mixed feelings or uncertainty.