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ambivalence
[ am-biv-uh-luhns ]
/ æmˈbɪv ə ləns /
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noun
uncertainty or fluctuation, especially when caused by inability to make a choice or by a simultaneous desire to say or do two opposite or conflicting things.
Psychology. the coexistence within an individual of positive and negative feelings toward the same person, object, or action, simultaneously drawing that individual in opposite directions.
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Also am·biv·a·len·cy .
OTHER WORDS FROM ambivalence
am·biv·a·lent, adjectiveWords nearby ambivalence
ambisyllabic, ambit, ambitendency, ambition, ambitious, ambivalence, ambivalent, ambivalent sexism, ambiversion, ambivert, amble
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use ambivalence in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for ambivalence
ambivalence
ambivalency
/ (æmˈbɪvələns) /
noun
the simultaneous existence of two opposed and conflicting attitudes, emotions, etc
Derived forms of ambivalence
ambivalent, adjectiveCollins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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