ambivalent

adjective

am-ˈbi-və-lənt How to pronounce ambivalent (audio)
Definition of ambivalentnext
as in unsure
having a mixture of opposing feelings she's somewhat ambivalent about the relationship

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of ambivalent The ensemble of actors is convincing in its naturalness, with the characterizations remaining consistently precise and ambivalent. — Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 25 Aug. 2026 Latinos were ambivalent about Proposition 187, the 1994 California ballot initiative that sought to deny immigrants and their families access to social services. — Eladio Bobadilla, Mercury News, 6 Aug. 2026 That song features a special guest, credited under the pseudonym Son-John Johnson, who sure sounds a lot like Geese’s Cameron Winter — another indie singer-songwriter who often seems ambivalent about being put under the microscope of fame. — Angie Martoccio, Rolling Stone, 5 Aug. 2026 People feel ambivalent about scrolling feeds, Marika Lüders, a professor of media and communication at the University of Oslo, wrote to me on this point. — Kaitlyn Tiffany, The Atlantic, 2 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for ambivalent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ambivalent
  1. unsure
  2. conflicted
  3. afraid
  4. hesitant
  5. uncertain
Adjective
  • Residents said most of the children killed lived in the Dir Colony neighborhood, where the school is located, leaving them unsure which bereaved family to visit first to offer condolences.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Hujar is unsure of his prospects, curious where his talent and ambition might lead, embedded in a community that may or may not take him there.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of unsure
Adjective
  • Rahimi plays him as a mostly sincere but deeply conflicted man, and most importantly a desperate one, capable of some rather unexpected deceptions.
    — Kambole Campbell, Variety, 11 Oct. 2026
  • Such conflicted messaging is undermining the alliance’s ability to deter Russia.
    — Julianne Smith, Foreign Affairs, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of conflicted
Adjective
  • Opt for a dark wash without rips and frays to keep the look streamlined, but don't be afraid to play with proportions and have fun with patterns and texture.
    — Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Measure What Customers Do After The Test Pick five to eight people who already trust you and aren’t afraid to tell you the truth.
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of afraid
Adjective
  • Chang was still hesitant to believe that Raman was actually going to win, having watched Hong’s polling advantage in Wisconsin evaporate.
    — Benjamin Wallace-Wells, New Yorker, 18 Oct. 2026
  • None of these feel significant to the business, but each one gives a hesitant buyer a reason to pause, and pauses are where deals go to die.
    — Dr. Sariki Abungwo, Forbes.com, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of hesitant
Adjective
  • Called Motor Decide, the tool is designed to help industries evaluate electric motor technologies and make informed decisions under uncertain market conditions.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 15 Oct. 2026
  • These industry changes come at an uncertain time as artificial intelligence encroaches on the creative field and consumers are turning to social media platforms for music consumption and discovery.
    — Cerys Davies, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of uncertain

Browse Nearby Words

ambits
ambivalent
amble
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Cite this Entry

“Ambivalent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ambivalent. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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