Ambivalent is a term that is often used in everyday language, but its meaning and definition can be hard to grasp. This term is often used to describe conflicting emotions or feelings towards a particular situation, person, or thing. In this article, we will explore the definition, origin, and meaning of ambivalent, as well as its associations, synonyms, antonyms, and example sentences.
Definitions
Ambivalent is an adjective that describes having mixed or conflicting emotions or attitudes towards something or someone. It can also refer to the coexistence of opposing attitudes or feelings towards a particular situation or person.
Origin
The word ambivalent comes from the Latin word “ambi,” meaning “both,” and “valentia,” meaning “strength.” It was first used in English in the early 20th century to describe the psychological concept of conflicting emotions or attitudes.
Meaning in different dictionaries
According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, ambivalent means “having or showing simultaneous and contradictory attitudes or feelings toward something or someone.” The Oxford English Dictionary defines it as “having mixed feelings or contradictory ideas about something or someone.”
Associations
Ambivalent is often associated with indecision, uncertainty, and conflicting emotions. It is also commonly used to describe the complex and contradictory nature of human emotions and attitudes.
Synonyms
Some synonyms for ambivalent include conflicted, equivocal, uncertain, undecided, and mixed.
Antonyms
Antonyms for ambivalent include clear, certain, decisive, determined, and resolute.
The same root words
The root word “valent” is also found in other English words, such as “equivalent,” “prevailing,” and “valence.”
Example Sentences
- Jane felt ambivalent about her new job. She was excited about the opportunity, but also nervous about the new responsibilities.
- John’s feelings towards his ex-girlfriend were ambivalent. He still cared for her, but also felt hurt and betrayed by her actions.
- The company’s decision to lay off employees was met with ambivalent reactions from the staff. Some were relieved to keep their jobs, while others were saddened by the loss of their colleagues.
- The politician’s ambivalent stance on the issue left voters unsure of where he stood.
- The artist’s work was ambivalent, reflecting both joy and sadness in equal measure.