ambivalence
Torn both ways
Ambivalence, a noun, and its related adjective (ambivalent) are all about uncertainty of a very particular kind; uncertainty arising out of fluctuation between alternatives: He felt ambivalence about going to the party.
If you feel emotional ambivalence you are alternately attracted and repulsed by a person or relationship.
Ambivalence began as a technical term in psychiatry but its technical meaning now extends to other fields—such as in acoustics or medicine—and less technical, informal uses.
The core meaning of the coexistence of opposites is always present.
Inability to choose
- waveringShowing unsteady resolve
- tornPulled into pieces
- undecidedNot having chosen
- irresoluteLacking firmness of purpose
hesitation · equivocation · dithering · waffling · flip-flopping · shilly-shally · oscillation · fence-sitting
Emotionally at odds
- unsettledNot yet resolved
- uneasyTroubled, not calm
- disquietMental unrest or agitation
- push-pullBidirectional force dynamic
love-hate · bittersweet · grudging · lukewarm · half-hearted · guarded · wary · apprehensive
Lack of firm belief
- unsureLacking confidence or certainty
- questioningSeeking answers through inquiry
- perplexityMental state of confusion
- ambiguityOpenness to multiple interpretations
tentativeness · skepticism · misgivings · reservations · qualms · dubiousness · incertitude · puzzlement
Opposing claims, incompatible together
- paradoxSeemingly absurd truth
- dichotomyDivision into contrasting parts
- polarityState of opposing forces
- double-edgedHaving opposite effects
simultaneity · coexistence · tension · push-and-pull · yin-yang · antithesis · counterbalance
Founder of psychoanalysis
- approach-avoidanceConflict between attraction and fear
- attachmentConnection or fondness
- resistanceCapacity to withstand force
- transferenceRedirecting feelings to substitutes
repression · neurosis · psychoanalysis · unconscious · splitting
vacillation
Inability to choose
irresolute · hesitation · equivocation · dithering · waffling · flip-flopping · shilly-shally · oscillation · fence-sitting · noncommittal
conflicted
Emotionally at odds
push-pull · love-hate · bittersweet · grudging · lukewarm · half-hearted · guarded · wary · apprehensive
doubt
Lack of firm belief
- unsureLacking confidence or certainty
- questioningSeeking answers through inquiry
- perplexityMental state of confusion
ambiguity · tentativeness · skepticism · misgivings · reservations · qualms · dubiousness · incertitude · puzzlement · unresolved
contradiction
Opposing claims, incompatible together
- paradoxSeemingly absurd truth
- dichotomyDivision into contrasting parts
- polarityState of opposing forces
double-edged · simultaneity · coexistence · tension · push-and-pull · yin-yang · antithesis · counterbalance
Freud
Founder of psychoanalysis
- approach-avoidanceConflict between attraction and fear
- attachmentConnection or fondness
- resistanceCapacity to withstand force
transference · repression · neurosis · psychoanalysis · unconscious · splitting
- Dualityduality, dual nature, two sides, yin and yang, yin-yang
- emotionsjoy, anger, fear, sadness, love
- confusionconfusion, confused, bewilderment, perplexity, baffled
- emotional strugglesinner turmoil, inner conflict, emotional pain, heartbreak, sadness
- indecisionindecision, indecisiveness, conflicted, hesitation, indecisive
- inner turmoilinner turmoil, inner conflict, inner struggle, self-doubt, indecision
ambivalencedecisiveness
Ability to choose firmly
resolve · certainty · conviction · determination · resolution
ambivalencecommitment
Firm pledge to act
devotion · dedication · enthusiasm · zeal · passion