ambivalence
C1Formal to Neutral
Definition
Meaning
The state of having two opposing feelings or attitudes towards something at the same time, such as simultaneous attraction and repulsion, love and hate, or approval and disapproval.
Uncertainty or indecisiveness resulting from being unable to choose between conflicting alternatives; a more general state of mixed or contradictory emotions about a person, object, or situation.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a psychological/emotional term describing internal conflict. While often used loosely for 'indecision,' true ambivalence involves co-existing opposites, not just simple hesitation.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical or grammatical differences. Slightly more common in American academic and therapeutic writing.
Connotations
Generally carries the same neutral-analytical tone in both varieties.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in American English corpora, especially in psychology and social sciences contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
ambivalence about [noun phrase]ambivalence towards [noun phrase]ambivalence over [noun phrase]ambivalence concerning [noun phrase]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “To be of two minds (about something)”
- “To be torn (between)”
- “To blow hot and cold”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Describing consumer or employee attitudes towards a new policy or product launch.
Academic
Analysing societal attitudes towards technological change or political ideologies.
Everyday
Discussing personal feelings about a major life decision like changing jobs.
Technical
In psychology/psychiatry, describing a client's simultaneous love and hate towards a parent (classic Freudian usage).
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- He seemed to ambivalate over the proposal. (Note: rare, non-standard. Correct: He felt ambivalent about the proposal.)
American English
- She ambivalated on the issue for weeks. (Note: rare, non-standard. Correct: She was ambivalent on the issue for weeks.)
adverb
British English
- He spoke ambivalently about his former colleague, praising his work but criticising his methods.
American English
- The senator responded ambivalently when asked about her endorsement.
adjective
British English
- She had ambivalent feelings about moving to the countryside.
American English
- The public remains ambivalent about the new tax plan.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I have mixed feelings about the holiday.
- Many voters feel a certain ambivalence towards the new leader, admiring her ideas but distrusting her style.
- The novel explores the protagonist's profound ambivalence about success, which he simultaneously desires and fears as a corrupting force.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of AMBI (both) + VALENCE (strength/feeling) = having feelings of BOTH strengths (positive and negative).
Conceptual Metaphor
THE MIND IS A BATTLEFIELD (conflicting forces), EMOTIONS ARE OPPOSITES (pulling in two directions).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid directly translating as 'амбивалентность' in informal contexts, as it sounds overly clinical in Russian.
- Do not confuse with simple 'неуверенность' (uncertainty) – ambivalence implies two specific, opposing forces.
Common Mistakes
- Using it to mean simple 'indifference' or 'apathy' (lack of feeling, not conflicting feelings).
- Misspelling as 'ambivilance'.
- Using it as a verb (e.g., 'I ambivalate'). The correct verb form is 'to feel ambivalent'.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'ambivalence' used most precisely?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Ambivalence refers to conflicting feelings or attitudes within a person. Ambiguity refers to unclear or double meaning in language or a situation.
It is neutral in description. While the state of conflict can be stressful, recognising ambivalence is often seen as a mature, nuanced understanding of complex situations.
No direct, standard verb exists. You use phrases like 'to feel ambivalent', 'to experience ambivalence', or 'to be ambivalent'.
Primarily about feelings and emotions, though the conflicting feelings often arise from or are associated with contradictory thoughts or values.
Collections
Part of a collection
Nuanced Emotions
C2 · 48 words · Precise vocabulary for complex emotional states.
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