Ambivalently - Meaning, Definition & English Examples
Ambivalently means having mixed or conflicting feelings about something. It describes an uncertain or indecisive attitude, often when someone simultaneously experiences both positive and negative emotions toward a situation or choice.
Definition:
Having mixed feelings or contradictory attitudes simultaneously.
Synonyms:
uncertainly, indecisively, hesitantly, conflictedly
Part of Speech:
adverb
Antonyms:
decisively, unequivocally
Common Collocations:
feel ambivalently, react ambivalently, speak ambivalently
Derivatives:
ambivalence, ambivalent
Usage Tips:
Use "ambivalently" to describe actions or emotions showing conflicting or uncertain feelings.
Common Phrases:
on the fence, torn between, mixed feelings
Etymology:
From Latin "ambi-" (both) + "valere" (to be strong), meaning having two opposing forces.
Examples:
- 1. She smiled ambivalently when asked about her promotion.
- 2. He nodded ambivalently, unsure whether to agree or disagree.
- 3. They responded ambivalently to the proposal, neither rejecting nor accepting it fully.
- 4. She spoke ambivalently about her future plans, revealing her inner conflict.