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Ambivalence vs Neutrality - What's the difference?

ambivalence | neutrality |

As nouns the difference between ambivalence and neutrality

is that ambivalence is the coexistence of opposing attitudes or feelings (such as love and hate) towards a person, object or idea while neutrality is the state or quality of being neutral; the condition of being unengaged in contests between others; state of taking no part on either side; indifference.

ambivalence

English

Noun

  • The coexistence of opposing attitudes or feelings (such as love and hate) towards a person, object or idea.
  • A state of uncertainty or indecisiveness.
  • Usage notes

    This word is often used as to express a lack of concern about the outcome of a choice to be made [http://www.google.com.au/search?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&rls=GGLJ,GGLJ:2006-10,GGLJ:en&q=ambivalent+to+mean+indifferent]. In this case, a more appropriate word to use is indifference. The confusion is probably caused by the similarity of sounds between the two words and the passive sound of the word.

    neutrality

    English

    Noun

    (en-noun)
  • The state or quality of being neutral; the condition of being unengaged in contests between others; state of taking no part on either side; indifference.
  • * "Men who possess a state of neutrality in times of public danger, desert the interest of their fellow subjects." -Addison.
  • (obsolete) Indifference in quality; a state neither very good nor bad.
  • (John Donne)
  • (chemistry): The quality or state of being neutral.
  • (international law) The condition of a nation or government which refrains from taking part, directly or indirectly, in a war between other powers.
  • Those who are neutral; a combination of neutral powers or states.
  • See also

    * net neutrality * network neutrality * internet neutrality * NN