ambivalency Definition
the state of having mixed feelings or contradictory ideas about something or someone.
Using ambivalency: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "ambivalency" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
She felt ambivalence about the job offer because it meant moving to a new city.
Example
His ambivalence towards the relationship was evident in his mixed signals.
Example
The politician's ambivalence on the issue cost him some votes.
ambivalency Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms for ambivalency
Phrases with ambivalency
a type of attachment style characterized by conflicting emotions and behaviors towards a caregiver or romantic partner
Example
People with an ambivalent attachment style may feel both a strong desire for closeness and a fear of abandonment.
a form of sexism that involves both positive and negative attitudes towards women, often resulting in contradictory behaviors
Example
A man who claims to support gender equality but also believes that women are not suited for certain jobs exhibits ambivalent sexism.
a form of racism that involves both positive and negative attitudes towards people of different races, often resulting in contradictory behaviors
Example
A person who claims to have friends of different races but also makes racist jokes exhibits ambivalent racism.
Origins of ambivalency
from German 'Ambivalenz', coined by Swiss psychologist Eugen Bleuler in 1910
Summary: ambivalency in Brief
'Ambivalency' [am-biv-uh-luh n-see] is a noun that refers to the state of having mixed feelings or contradictory ideas about something or someone. It is often characterized by indecision, uncertainty, hesitation, doubt, or confusion. Examples include feeling ambivalent about a job offer or a relationship. 'Ambivalent attachment,' 'ambivalent sexism,' and 'ambivalent racism' are phrases that describe specific types of ambivalence.
