ambivalence

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“
Obviously, they knew our ambivalence was deeper than we realized, because we jumped on the offer of this newborn baby.

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Definitions (3)

Toggle American Heritage definitions American Heritage Dictionary (2)

  1. noun The coexistence of opposing attitudes or feelings, such as love and hate, toward a person, object, or idea.
  2. noun Uncertainty or indecisiveness as to which course to follow.

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Examples (41)

  • "This will generate a lot of publicity," I said, and the ambivalence was clear in Tolliver's face, as I'm sure it was in mine. —  grave Surprise
  • Adding to my ambivalence was the fact that in some small way—as hard as it is to believe—I actually liked him. —  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
  • Maybe his ambivalence was swinging my way, just temporarily. —  Persuader by Lee Child
  • There's been a number of rumors that indicate that this ambivalence is mutual, and that you are looking to move on. —  mjsbigblog
  • At what point does love turn to ambivalence, and ambivalence to hate? —  Gawker
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Etymologies (1)

Toggle American Heritage etymologies American Heritage Dictionary (1)

  1. German Ambivalenz : Latin ambi-, ambi- + Latin valentia, vigor (from valēns, valent-, present participle of valēre, to be strong; see wal- in Indo-European roots).
 

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