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

Like all birthdays, the nation’s is an origin defining that to which one belongs, and so July 4 is a befitting day to examine our national identity and identity crisis. —Mark Kremer, National Review, 5 July 2025

Three of Connecticut’s five U.S. House members are 72 or older, age was a difficult and ultimately disqualifying issue for the octogenarian Joe Biden in 2024, and the Democratic Party is in the midst of an identity crisis after the loss of the White House to Donald J. Trump. —Mark Pazniokas, Hartford Courant, 3 July 2025

Alto Adige’s big identity crisis came in the 1980s when demand for the local Schiava plummeted. —Paul Caputo, Forbes.com, 3 July 2025

Democrats are in the midst of an identity crisis after Biden and former Vice President Kamala Harris failed to defeat Trump. —Mabinty Quarshie, The Washington Examiner, 28 June 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