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 Democratic Party has experienced an identity crisis following its crushing defeat in November. —Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 24 Apr. 2025

But too often, professionals treat it like digital duct tape, only pulling it out when something breaks: a job loss, a funding search or a professional identity crisis. —Cheryl Robinson, Forbes.com, 22 Apr. 2025

Britain’s beleaguered energy giant, which holds its annual general meeting on Thursday, has recently sought to resolve something of an identity crisis by launching a fundamental reset. —Sam Meredith, CNBC, 15 Apr. 2025

The story picks up years after Tess (Curtis) and Anna (Lohan) endured an identity crisis. —Nancy Tartaglione, Deadline, 3 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1941, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for identity crisis

• ecdysis
• haemoptysis
• hemoptysis
• lysis
• phthisis

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