3 ms·

ambivalence : "the state of having mixed feelings or contradictory ideas about something or someone"

• pndmnm 12y ago
  While the historical meaning of "ambivalence" (literally -- strength in two directions) does mean a contradictory complex of feelings, I now almost exclusively hear it used to mean a low level of feeling or lack of caring. When you say ambivalence, this is most likely what people will understand to be the meaning.
  • trendoid 12y ago
    Hmm, haven't noticed it since people around me dont speak enough English. "Apathy" is what I still see more to describe "low level of feeling or lack of caring".
    • 001sky 12y ago
      'Ambivalence' can be used in a strategic context (ie, similar to 'strategic ambiguity'--in relation thought/intent). Whereas other notions of "muddled" are pertain to more passive states (apathy, confusion).
  • danieldk 12y ago
    Although, I am not a native speaker, I always interpret it as having contradictory feelings. Maybe because 'ambivalent' in my native language also has the original meaning. I agree with a peer poster that apathy is what you are describing.
• TheSpiceIsLife 12y ago
  Dictionaries are not authoritative sources of word definitions for living languages. Current usage is the authoritative source, dictionaries are a high latency recording of word definitions based on usage.