You searched for: “ambivalency
ambivalence, ambivalency
1. Behavior resulting from two incompatible motivations, often taking the form of a mixture of the two motivational tendencies.
2. The presence of two opposing ideas, attitudes, or emotions at the same time.
3. A feeling of uncertainty about something due to a mental conflict.
A woman shows ambivalence towards her dog.
Oh, Honeycup! How could my baby get so dirty!?
Stay down, you dirty dog! Don't jump on me!

Word Info image © Copyright, 2006.

When it comes to responding to the dog, the woman obviously has two ways of dealing with it.

—John Rayoa.
This entry is located in the following units: ambi-, amb-, ambo- + (page 2) valid-, val-, vale-, -vail, -valent, -valence (page 1)