Definition of ambivalentnext

Example 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 But these unknown early writings suggest that he may be better understood as an immigrant writer—one of the gifted, ambivalent outsiders who remade American literature after World War II—whose most astonishing achievement was the all-American voice of On the Road and the books that came after. Literary Hub, 24 Apr. 2026 The book’s ambivalent nostalgia has not kept it from succeeding prodigiously. Becca Rothfeld, New Yorker, 23 Apr. 2026 Brigid, a Catholic, is ambivalent about plural marriage. Mary Ann Grossmann, Twin Cities, 19 Apr. 2026 Ironically, Chavez himself appeared ambivalent about such public tributes. Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 14 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for ambivalent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ambivalent
Adjective
  • When workers are unsure whether the technology is meant to augment them or replace them, adoption slows, experimentation stops, and the conditions under which AI actually returns value disappear.
    Julie Averill, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026
  • The vets also took X-rays, but since wood is hard to see on an X-ray, the professionals were still unsure how far the stick had impaled Sweets.
    Kelli Bender, PEOPLE, 15 May 2026
Adjective
  • The Young Man had never been more confused, conflicted, baffled.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 20 May 2026
  • His lawsuit against the IRS had been challenged by Democratic lawmakers, former IRS and Justice Department officials and outside progressive organizations as a blatantly unlawful move by a deeply conflicted president.
    Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 18 May 2026
Adjective
  • That said, Richie isn’t afraid to switch things up.
    Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 19 May 2026
  • Zvyagintsev is not afraid of silence.
    Stephanie Bunbury, Deadline, 19 May 2026
Adjective
  • Yet in an industry where technological change is often forced on hesitant doctors by medical administrators, few services have seen such rapid adoption as OpenEvidence.
    Jared Perlo, NBC news, 13 May 2026
  • The Mets have been hesitant to sign the 24-year-old Alvarez to a long-term contract in part because of injuries, and in part because of his inconsistent play, some of which is likely a result of injuries.
    Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 13 May 2026
Adjective
  • Hulse felt both hopeful and uncertain.
    Clayton Dalton, New Yorker, 15 May 2026
  • What was once a slow and uncertain flow of prospective officers has evolved into a steady stream of qualified candidates, producing record-sized recruit classes.
    Joy Lepola-Stewart, Baltimore Sun, 14 May 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Ambivalent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ambivalent. Accessed 20 May. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on ambivalent

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster