Ambivalence in a Sentence: Meaning and Examples
Ambivalence in a sentence means mixed or conflicting feelings about something: “She felt ambivalence about moving abroad.” A clear example shows both sides, such as excitement about a new opportunity and reluctance to leave friends. Ambivalence is a noun, while ambivalent is the adjective used to describe a person’s feelings or attitude.
Ambivalence at a glance
- Ambivalence is the state of having conflicting feelings or uncertainty about how one feels about something.
- Ambivalence is a noun; ambivalent is the adjective, and ambivalently is the related adverb form.
- Do not equate ambivalence with indifference; mixed strong feelings differ from a lack of interest or concern.
- Context should make the intended sense clear before adding decorative description.
What does ambivalence mean?
Ambivalence is the state of having conflicting feelings or uncertainty about how one feels about something. The dictionary entry for ambivalence documents the basic vocabulary sense; the examples here show how that sense works in complete sentences.

Ambivalence in a sentence: clear examples
- She felt ambivalence about moving abroad.
- His ambivalence toward the plan surprised the team.
- The narrator expresses ambivalence about success.
- Her ambivalence came from wanting change but valuing stability.
- The interview revealed ambivalence about the new role.
- He described his ambivalence without making an immediate decision.
- The novel explores the character’s ambivalence toward home.
- Excitement and regret contributed to her ambivalence.
- The group discussed its ambivalence about expanding the project.
- I felt ambivalence because the offer brought both opportunity and disruption.
How does the context change the meaning?
| Use | Meaning or pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Topic | ambivalence about | She felt ambivalence about moving abroad. |
| Attitude | ambivalence toward | His ambivalence toward the plan surprised the team. |
| Expressed feeling | express ambivalence | The narrator expresses ambivalence about success. |
| Adjective | feel ambivalent | I feel ambivalent about accepting. |
Which grammar patterns are useful?
Ambivalence is ordinarily uncountable: some ambivalence, considerable ambivalence, or the ambivalence she expressed. To describe a person directly, use ambivalent: “She is ambivalent about the move.” “She is ambivalence” puts the noun in a position that needs an adjective.
About introduces the topic and toward can introduce the object of an attitude: ambivalence about a choice, ambivalence toward an institution. Give enough context to show the competing feelings rather than treating the noun as a vague substitute for every difficult decision.
How can you avoid unclear word choices?
Ambivalence is different from indifference. An ambivalent person may care strongly but feel pulled in opposite directions; an indifferent person lacks interest or concern. “She wanted to go and wanted to stay” shows ambivalence better than “She did not care either way.”
Ambiguity concerns unclear meaning or multiple interpretations; ambivalence concerns conflicting feelings. An ambiguous message can produce uncertainty, but the two words do not name the same thing. Also distinguish indecision, the difficulty of choosing, from the feelings that may contribute to it.

Frequently asked questions about ambivalence
What is a short sentence with ambivalence?
“She felt ambivalence about moving abroad.” is a short example using ambivalence. The sentence supplies a concrete setting so the meaning can be understood without a separate definition. For a classroom exercise, ask learners to identify the key relationship, then change one detail while keeping the same grammatical pattern.
Which related forms should I learn with ambivalence?
Ambivalence is a noun; ambivalent is the adjective, and ambivalently is the related adverb form. Learn the related forms alongside a complete sentence, rather than as isolated endings. A change in grammatical role can require a different form even when the underlying idea remains similar. Read the surrounding subject, verb, and modifiers before deciding which form belongs.
What mistake should I check before using ambivalence?
Do not equate ambivalence with indifference; mixed strong feelings differ from a lack of interest or concern. Check the intended meaning as well as the spelling. A sentence can be grammatically complete yet suggest the wrong relationship. When revising, name the subject and explain what the surrounding phrase contributes, then remove any word that creates an unintended implication.
Can I replace ambivalence with a simpler word?
Mixed feelings is a plain alternative; uncertainty fits some contexts but may omit the sense of opposing feelings. Choose a replacement that preserves the intended meaning and level of formality. Test it in the whole sentence: a near synonym may fit one sense while failing in another. Keep the original word when its distinction matters to the reader.
Ambivalence, a term often used in psychology and sociology, refers to the state of having mixed feelings or contradictory attitudes towards a person, object, or situation. It involves experiencing both positive and negative emotions simultaneously, creating a sense of uncertainty or indecision.
This complex emotional state can manifest in various ways, impacting decision-making processes, behavior, and relationships. Understanding ambivalence is crucial in exploring the nuances of human emotions and motivations.
7 Examples Of Ambivalence Used In a Sentence For Kids
- I feel ambivalence about eating my veggies, but I know they are good for me.
- Sometimes I have ambivalence about sharing my toys with my friends.
- Ambivalence is when you feel unsure if you like something or not.
- It’s normal to feel ambivalence about trying new foods.
- My pet dog shows ambivalence when meeting new people.
- Ambivalence can make it hard to make decisions sometimes.
- It’s okay to feel ambivalence about trying something new, like a sport or hobby.
14 Sentences with Ambivalence Examples
- Ambivalence about choosing a major often leads college students to seek guidance from career counselors.
- College students in India often feel ambivalence towards participating in extracurricular activities due to their academic workload.
- Balancing social life and academics can lead to feelings of ambivalence among college students in India.
- The decision to study abroad may evoke ambivalence in college students as they weigh the benefits against the challenges.
- Some college students experience ambivalence about joining student clubs as they are unsure about the time commitment involved.
- The prospect of entering the job market after graduation can stir up ambivalence among college students in India.
- College students may experience ambivalence when deciding whether to pursue higher education or enter the workforce.
- Ambivalence towards attending classes can be a common struggle for college students, especially during early morning lectures.
- Feeling ambivalence about taking up internships can prevent college students from gaining valuable work experience.
- College students may feel ambivalence towards seeking help for mental health issues due to stigma surrounding mental health in India.
- The pressure to maintain high grades can contribute to feelings of ambivalence among college students.
- Some college students experience ambivalence towards relationships as they navigate the demands of their academic and personal lives.
- The choice between pursuing a passion or opting for a more secure career path can lead to ambivalence among college students.
- Learning to cope with feelings of ambivalence is an important skill for college students as they navigate the many challenges of university life.
How To Use Ambivalence in Sentences?
Ambivalence means having mixed feelings or contradictory ideas about something. When using this word in a sentence, it is important to consider the context in which it is being used.
Here are a few examples of how to use ambivalence in a sentence:
-
“She felt ambivalence towards the job offer, as it would require a move to a new city but also a significant salary increase.”
-
“His ambivalence about the upcoming election was evident as he struggled to decide which candidate to support.”
-
“The student’s ambivalence towards the subject made it difficult for him to choose a major in college.”
Remember to pay attention to the subject and the context in which ambivalence is being used in order to communicate your thoughts effectively. It is important to convey the sense of conflicting emotions or uncertainty that is inherent in the meaning of the word.
By practicing using ambivalence in different sentences, you will become more comfortable incorporating it into your everyday vocabulary.
Conclusion
In conclusion, sentences with ambivalence showcase conflicting feelings or attitudes towards a particular subject or situation. These sentences often reveal uncertainty, mixed emotions, or indecisiveness, adding depth and complexity to the ideas being expressed. By using carefully crafted sentences with ambivalence, writers can convey the nuances of human experience, creating a rich tapestry of emotions and perspectives that resonate with readers.
Whether exploring the complexities of relationships, moral dilemmas, or personal struggles, sentences with ambivalence capture the intricacies of human thought and emotion. By embracing this literary device, writers can invite readers to delve deeper into the grey areas of life, encouraging reflection and empathy for the diverse range of emotions that shape our understanding of the world.
