ambivalent
adjective
Having mixed feelings or contradictory ideas about something or someone; simultaneously experiencing opposing emotions.
Etymology
Coined by Swiss psychologist Eugen Bleuler in 1910, from Latin ambi- (both) + valentia (strength), to describe conflicting emotions in patients.
Examples in Use
- 1.
"She felt ambivalent about leaving her hometown for the new job."
- 2.
"Many voters remained ambivalent, unable to fully support either candidate."
- 3.
"His ambivalent attitude toward technology reflected broader societal tensions."
Related Vocabulary
Synonyms
Related Words
Fun Fact
Psychologist Eugen Bleuler coined "ambivalent" to describe a symptom of schizophrenia, but it quickly entered everyday language because it perfectly captured a common human experience.
Word Game Tips
Letters: 10 letters (A, M, B, I, V, A, L, E, N, T)
Scrabble Value: 17 points
Tip: The letter pattern in "AMBIVALENT" appears in many related words.
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