ambivalent

/æmˈbɪvələnt/ (bre, ipa) · /æmˈbɪvələnt/ (ame, ipa) · /am-ˈbi-və-lənt/ (ame, mw)

ambivalent — adjective

  • ambivalentpositive
  • more ambivalentcomparative
  • most ambivalentsuperlative

1. feeling two opposite emotions about a person, situation, or decision at one time

1.形容詞B2
釋義

feeling two opposite emotions about a person, situation, or decision at one time, making it hard to know what you want or how to act

例句

Mei-Lin felt ambivalent about the Tokyo job, excited but sad to leave her friends.

ambivalent + about + noun — explicit contrast via [adj] but [adj]

The school board remained ambivalent toward the new policy, wanting change yet fearing disruption.

ambivalent + toward + noun — contrast via [VP] yet [VP]

同義詞
  • conflicted

    more emotional and personal, suggests inner turmoil (informal)

  • torn

    more informal, emphasizes being pulled between two options

  • uncertain

    broader meaning; does not imply opposing feelings, just lack of clarity

  • divided

    suggests a clear split within oneself rather than mixed feelings

反義詞
  • decisive

    having a clear, firm opinion without hesitation

  • certain

    sure about one's feelings, no doubt involved

文法句型

ambivalent + about + noun/gerund

ambivalent + toward/towards + noun

ambivalent + contrasting clause

用法筆記

Common in formal and written contexts. The two opposing feelings are usually made explicit in the surrounding text, often introduced by contrasting conjunctions such as 'but' or 'yet'. The subject is typically a person or group capable of complex emotions.

常見錯誤

❌I feel ambivalent to join the team.
✅I feel ambivalent about joining the team.
💡'ambivalent' takes 'about' + gerund, not 'to' + infinitive.
❌She was ambivalent between the two offers.
✅She was ambivalent about the two offers.
💡use 'about' for the topic of ambivalence, not 'between'.