ambivalently
Neither here nor there
In a manner showing mixed or conflicting feelings about something.
Someone who responds ambivalently to an offer is both drawn to it and reluctant: She ambivalently accepted the promotion, excited by the opportunity but dreading the longer hours.
The word captures the state of being pulled in two directions at once.
In an unsteady manner
- irresolutelyWithout firm decision
- inconclusivelyWithout definite result
- noncommittallyWithout firm stance
- fence-sittingRefusing to take sides
dithering · equivocating · shilly-shallying · oscillating · fluctuating · back-and-forth · wishy-washy · seesawing
Pulled into pieces
- dividedSeparated into portions
- contradictoryLogically opposed to itself
- push-pullBidirectional force dynamic
- simultaneityState of coexisting temporally
duality · dissonance · paradoxically · incongruously · at-odds · double-minded · split
Without full commitment
- reluctantlyWith obvious unwillingness
- cautiouslyIn a guarded manner
- uncertainlyIn a doubtful way
- falteringlyIn an unsteady manner
haltingly · guardedly · gingerly · warily · half-heartedly · tepidly · lukewarmly · reservedly
Without emotional involvement
- indifferentlyWithout preference or concern
- impartiallyWithout taking sides
- neutrallyWithout favoring either side
- coollyIn unruffled manner
aloofly · nonchalantly · apathetically · phlegmatically · stoically · unemotionally · unconcernedly · objectively
waveringly
In an unsteady manner
- irresolutelyWithout firm decision
- inconclusivelyWithout definite result
- noncommittallyWithout firm stance
fence-sitting · dithering · equivocating · shilly-shallying · oscillating · fluctuating · back-and-forth · wishy-washy · seesawing
torn
Pulled into pieces
- dividedSeparated into portions
- contradictoryLogically opposed to itself
- push-pullBidirectional force dynamic
simultaneity · duality · dissonance · paradoxically · incongruously · at-odds · double-minded · split
tentatively
Without full commitment
- reluctantlyWith obvious unwillingness
- cautiouslyIn a guarded manner
- uncertainlyIn a doubtful way
falteringly · haltingly · guardedly · gingerly · warily · half-heartedly · tepidly · lukewarmly · reservedly · diffidently
dispassionately
Without emotional involvement
- indifferentlyWithout preference or concern
- impartiallyWithout taking sides
- neutrallyWithout favoring either side
coolly · aloofly · nonchalantly · apathetically · phlegmatically · stoically · unemotionally · unconcernedly · objectively · disinterestedly
ambivalentlydecisively
With firm determination
certainly · unequivocally · unambiguously · definitely · resolutely
ambivalentlywholeheartedly
With total commitment
unreservedly · enthusiastically · devotedly · passionately · completely