Word meaning
ambivalent
adjective · am-BIV-uh-lent
What does ambivalent mean?
Ambivalent means having mixed or contradictory feelings about something.
Ambivalent in a sentence
“I'm ambivalent about moving: the city is exciting, but I'd miss my friends.”
Synonyms for ambivalent
- conflicted
- torn
- uncertain
Where does ambivalent come from?
From Latin ambi-, "both," and valere, "to be strong"; coined in early-20th-century psychology.
How to remember ambivalent
- Say it out loud a few times: am-BIV-uh-lent.
- Write one sentence of your own using ambivalent, about something that happened to you today.
- Quiz yourself tomorrow, in three days, and next week. Spaced reviews are what make new words stick.
More words worth knowing
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- assiduous — showing great care and perseverance.
- ruminate — to think deeply about something, often at length.
- savvy — shrewd and knowledgeable; having common sense and good judgment.
- mollify — to reduce the anger or anxiety of someone.