Definitions for ambivalence
æmˈbɪv ə lənsam·biva·lence

Princeton's WordNetRate this definition:3.0 / 1 vote

1. ambivalence, ambivalencynoun

   mixed feelings or emotions

WiktionaryRate this definition:1.0 / 1 vote

1. ambivalencenoun

   The coexistence of opposing attitudes or feelings (such as love and hate) towards a person, object or idea.

2. ambivalencenoun

   A state of uncertainty or indecisiveness.

3. Etymology: From ambi- and valentia, from the verb valere (see valiant). Coined 1910 by Swiss psychologist Eugen Bleule for "simultaneous conflicting feelings", by 1929 had taken on a broader literary and general sense.

WikidataRate this definition:2.5 / 2 votes

1. Ambivalence

   Ambivalence is a state of having simultaneous, conflicting feelings toward a person or thing. Stated another way, ambivalence is the experience of having thoughts and/or emotions of both positive and negative valence toward someone or something. The term also refers to situations where "mixed feelings" of a more general sort are experienced, or where a person experiences uncertainty or indecisiveness concerning something. The expressions "cold feet" and "sitting on the fence" are often used to describe the feeling of ambivalence. Ambivalence is experienced as psychologically unpleasant when the positive and negative aspects of a subject are both present in a person's mind at the same time. This state can lead to avoidance or procrastination, or to deliberate attempts to resolve the ambivalence. When the situation does not require a decision to be made, people experience less discomfort even when feeling ambivalent.

How to pronounce ambivalence?

1. Alex

   US English

   David

   US English

   Mark

   US English

   Daniel

   British

   Libby

   British

   Mia

   British

   Karen

   Australian

   Hayley

   Australian

   Natasha

   Australian

   Veena

   Indian

   Priya

   Indian

   Neerja

   Indian

   Zira

   US English

   Oliver

   British

   Wendy

   British

   Fred

   US English

   Tessa

   South African

How to say ambivalence in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of ambivalence in Chaldean Numerology is: 9

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of ambivalence in Pythagorean Numerology is: 6

Examples of ambivalence in a Sentence

1. RAS CARDO REGGAE:

   Anyone who states- my country is not so innocent- may be stating a truth which goes not only to his feelings about patriotism, but speaks to his state of mind and ambivalence as to what he will do should he gain an office of power and control. For such is the hallmark of demagogues.

2. Sam Kamin:

   You have this odd combination here for ambivalence on the part of prosecutors and juries and a statute that permits the imposition of death in most murders, in some cases it was lack of resources, in some cases it was the belief that a jury wouldn't impose it.

3. Charles Krauthammer:

   Clips you showed demonstrate the ambivalence of this administration about what is the nature of the war on terror and whether it’s actually still going on.

4. Fredric Wehrey:

   It did stir a lot of ambivalence and even outright criticism from people who say, 'Well you know, ISIS is bad but at least ISIS is standing up to the Shiites and the Iranian menace,' now this war on the Houthis is a godsend to them because they are able to stir up this new Saudi nationalism, this pan-Sunni fervor, and it's to show they are defending the Sunnis... for domestic benefit.

5. Paul de Man:

   The ambivalence of writing is such that it can be considered both an act and an interpretive process that follows after an act with which it cannot coincide. As such, it both affirms and denies its own nature.

Popularity rank by frequency of use

References

1. ^ Princeton's WordNet
   http://wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn?s=ambivalence
2. ^ Wiktionary
   https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Ambivalence
3. ^ Wikidata
   https://www.wikidata.org/w/index.php?search=ambivalence