as in unsure
having a mixture of opposing feelings
she's somewhat ambivalent about the relationship
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of ambivalent
South Korean public opinion, especially among younger generations, has also grown increasingly ambivalent about the potentially enormous economic and social costs reunification would entail.
—
Ethan Teekah,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
12 June 2026
Garrett is ambivalent about playing hockey, which he was forced into by his cold and extremely famous star-athlete father (Steve Howey, giving perfect network-procedural-bad-guy energy).
—
Sophie Gilbert,
The Atlantic,
10 June 2026
Those who came of age in the past three decades of the 20th century were often more ambivalent about what lipstick – and bright makeup in general – signaled to others.
—
Eileen G'sell,
The Conversation,
8 June 2026
Were the Kroenkes too busy, too distracted, too ambivalent?
—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
7 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for ambivalent
Ethan Teekah,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
12 June 2026
Garrett is ambivalent about playing hockey, which he was forced into by his cold and extremely famous star-athlete father (Steve Howey, giving perfect network-procedural-bad-guy energy).
—
Sophie Gilbert,
The Atlantic,
10 June 2026
Those who came of age in the past three decades of the 20th century were often more ambivalent about what lipstick – and bright makeup in general – signaled to others.
—
Eileen G'sell,
The Conversation,
8 June 2026
Were the Kroenkes too busy, too distracted, too ambivalent?
—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
7 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for ambivalent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ambivalent
Adjective
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Standards are high at the Etihad Stadium after 10 years of Guardiola and Manchester City is counting on Maresca being the right man to keep this going even if many of the club’s own supporters are unsure.
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People are unsure about the industry for good reason, with everything happening with AI and in the world.
Adjective
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Set among an energetic but conflicted group of HIV/AIDS activists in early-’90s France, 120 BPM documents a key turning point in LGBTQ+ history, as ACT UP’s approach of radical, direct action moved the cause further into the mainstream.
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As Azula takes the city, Team Avatar — except for Aang — are locked up in a secret underground prison along with the morally conflicted Fire Nation prince Zuko (Dallas Liu).
Adjective
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The ruling leaves trans student-athletes and their advocates feeling angry and afraid.
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Pregnant mothers are afraid of their babies not being able to have a home.
Adjective
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When team members seem disconnected, less motivated or hesitant to contribute, leaders need to look beyond surface-level symptoms and determine what’s really standing in the way of stronger participation and performance.
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Some delegates were hesitant, but a committee was appointed to draft the document.
Adjective
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Harvard Health has taken a critical look at Apollo Neuro, and Medscape has warned about uncertain efficacy in at-home vagus stimulation devices.
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At the edge of an uncertain frontier, the founders organized people, knowledge, and governance in a way that could survive the unknown.
Cite this Entry
“Ambivalent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ambivalent. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
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