identity crisis

noun

1

: personal psychosocial conflict especially in adolescence that involves confusion about one's social role and often a sense of loss of continuity to one's personality

2

: a state of confusion in an institution or organization regarding its nature or direction

Examples of identity crisis in a Sentence

He is suffering from an identity crisis.

Recent Examples on the Web

The mid-19th century found Great Britain in the midst of an identity crisis. —Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 19 Dec. 2024

In Canada, a nation of 41 million where 2 in 5 people are either immigrants or children of one, the debate has triggered an identity crisis, with a surge in xenophobia that is out of sync with the country’s reputation as a place that is welcoming to newcomers. —Kate Linthicum, Los Angeles Times, 12 Dec. 2024

Can Starbucks re-heat a cup of its old mo-joe? Starbucks has a new leadership and identity crisis; its CEO wants to walk backwards into the future. —Melvin Backman, Quartz, 18 Nov. 2024

There’s an element of identity crisis there that says something about boomers like Tim Allen aging into new roles as fathers in the ’80s and ’90s. —Katie Rife, Vulture, 16 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1941, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Medical Definition

identity crisis

noun

: personal psychosocial conflict especially in adolescence that involves confusion about one's social role and often a sense of loss of continuity to one's personality