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

When Kitty went on a menopause journey in Season 5 of That ‘70s Show, the focus was on how her identity crisis affected the men in her life. —Jennifer Vineyard, Flow Space, 24 Jan. 2025

Again Meanwhile, Ethereum’s ongoing convulsions amid its identity crisis showed themselves again this week with the announcement of Etherealize, a new entity focused on institutional adoption. —Dave Birnbaum, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2025

Mercury retrograde in your sign could’ve very well felt like an identity crisis or a constant surge of hiccups and misunderstandings. —Valerie Mesa, People.com, 15 Dec. 2024

That poor guy has had enough identity crises for one lifetime. —Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 17 Jan. 2025

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