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Ambivalence
The state of having two opposing feelings or attitudes at the same time; simultaneous contradictory feelings about a person, thing, or idea.
noun💡
Imagine This
The ambulance driver stops at the intersection, wondering which is the quickest way to the site of the accident.
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Sounds Like
am-bih-VAL-uhns
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Looks Like
Ambi_valence
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Remember This
Ambi- means both; valence comes from Latin valēre meaning to be strong or to be worth, and in ambivalence it signals holding two competing values or feelings.
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Other Forms
ambivalentadjective
ambivalentlyadverb
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Connect With
conflict, indecision, doubt, mixed feelings, hesitation
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Note
Note the difference between ambivalence (having mixed feelings) and ambiguity (unclear meaning). Ambivalence often relates to decisions or attitudes, while ambiguity concerns unclear information.
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Study Deeper
Examples
- She felt ambivalence about accepting the job offer, torn between the salary and the long commute.
- The committee's ambivalence toward the proposal led to a cautious vote and further discussion.
Synonyms
uncertaintydoubthesitationindecisionmixed feelings
Antonyms
decisivenesscertaintyresolve
Etymology
From French ambivalence, from Latin ambivalent- (present participle of ambivalere) literally 'being on both sides,' from ambi- 'both' + valēns 'strong' (from valere 'to be strong, to be worth').
Mnemonic
Two values, two vibes: ambivalence = ambi- (both) + valence (value/feeling); remember it as two values at once.
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Pliant
adjectiveEasily bent or flexed; willing to yield or adapt to others' wishes or conditions.
Capricious
adjectiveUnpredictable; given to sudden, unaccountable changes in mood or behavior.
Recessive
adjectiveRelating to a gene or trait that is masked by a dominant allele and expressed only when two recessive alleles are present.
Similar Words
Related words and words with the same part of speech.
Abasement
nounThe act or instance of humiliating or degrading someone; the state of being lowered in dignity or status.
Absurdity
nounThe quality or state of being wildly unreasonable, illogical, or ridiculous; something that is completely contrary to reason or common sense.
Accent
nounA distinctive way of pronouncing words; the act of emphasizing a syllable or word (as a verb, to accent means to emphasize).
Accolade
nounAn honor; a public expression of praise or an award.
Acrimony
nounBitterness of speech or manner; ill feeling
Acronym
nounA word formed from the initial letters of a phrase, pronounced as a single word and used as a shorthand for the full name (for example, NASA or radar).
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