as in unsure
having a mixture of opposing feelings
she's somewhat ambivalent about the relationship
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples 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 scene reveals every flicker of ambivalent emotion—audacity and determination mixed with caution and underlying fear.
—
Gerui Wang, Forbes, 2 Nov. 2024
Vannucci, who now lives with his wife and kids in Northern California, was more ambivalent about the city’s old tropes.
—Hanif Abdurraqib, The New Yorker, 4 Oct. 2024
What was known about him by all at that point — to name but one thing, his long history of making antisemitic comments and curiously ambivalent statements about Nazi Germany — should have been more than disqualifying.
—The Editors, National Review, 24 Sep. 2024
By the time this hard-nosed genre exercises arrives at its ambivalent final scene, whether or not the criminals get away with stealing a few million Krone feels all but irrelevant to a world in which real fulfillment is so hard to keep.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 6 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for ambivalent 
Gerui Wang, Forbes, 2 Nov. 2024
Vannucci, who now lives with his wife and kids in Northern California, was more ambivalent about the city’s old tropes.
—Hanif Abdurraqib, The New Yorker, 4 Oct. 2024
What was known about him by all at that point — to name but one thing, his long history of making antisemitic comments and curiously ambivalent statements about Nazi Germany — should have been more than disqualifying.
—The Editors, National Review, 24 Sep. 2024
By the time this hard-nosed genre exercises arrives at its ambivalent final scene, whether or not the criminals get away with stealing a few million Krone feels all but irrelevant to a world in which real fulfillment is so hard to keep.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 6 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for ambivalent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ambivalent
Adjective
-
By comparison, just 38 percent answered yes, while 17 percent were unsure.Andy Biggs, Newsweek, 24 Dec. 2024
-
More Economic Uncertainty While the 2024 presidential election might be in the rearview, many experts are unsure what could unfold as the new administration begins.Kristine Gill, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
Yet again, Brie’s conflicted thinking face speaks volumes.Sara Netzley, EW.com, 19 Dec. 2024
-
Its star Ralph Fiennes earned a best actor in a drama nomination for his portrayal of a conflicted priest overseeing a papal election crawling with sabotage and subplots.Matt Donnelly, Variety, 9 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
Even in districts that have staff dedicated to teaching Black history, some teachers are afraid of violating state law, according to Brian Knowles, who oversees African American, Holocaust and Latino studies for the Palm Beach County school district.Kate Payne, Los Angeles Times, 25 Dec. 2024
-
James Mangold isn’t afraid of being thought of as a journeyman director.Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 24 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
The incident report states the victim is uncooperative and was hesitant to press charges or speak about this case.Cameron Knight, The Enquirer, 22 Dec. 2024
-
But with the Dodgers being hesitant to swing a deal, the Padres could steal him before Los Angeles gets a chance.Benedict Cosgrove, Newsweek, 20 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
But the outcome at the end of a tumultuous week had been uncertain after Trump had insisted the deal include an increase in the government’s borrowing limit.Lisa Mascaro, Los Angeles Times, 21 Dec. 2024
-
Details on how the berm area in question has evolved over the years through different rain and flood events and if there has been any reconstruction or repairs with a revolving board was uncertain.Andy Humbles, The Tennessean, 20 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near ambivalent
Cite this Entry
“Ambivalent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ambivalent. Accessed 2 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share