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 entity, institution, or organization regarding its nature or direction

England is the last place on earth one would expect to find a national identity crisis, yet … the English are now asking, "What is my nation?"

—Wilson Quarterly

Examples of identity crisis in a Sentence

He is suffering from an identity crisis.

Recent Examples on the Web

Much like the character at the center of VisionQuest, the Marvel show itself went through a brief identity crisis. — Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Sep. 2026

The league is filled with teams that have underachieved (Detroit Tigers, Toronto Blue Jays) and others that seem caught in identity crises (Houston Astros, Texas Rangers, Baltimore Orioles). — Zack Meisel, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026

Digital wallets are nice for splitting your Sunday brunch bill, crypto is still having an identity crisis, but instant settlement is what actually pays the bills. — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 4 Sep. 2026

The question has almost become a kind of identity crisis for the corridor. — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Aug. 2026

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