midlife crisis

noun

: a period of emotional turmoil in middle age characterized especially by a strong desire for change

Examples of midlife crisis in a Sentence

We knew he was going through a midlife crisis when he bought a new sports car.

Recent Examples on the Web

Two of them—Bertha Russell on The Gilded Age and Gloria Burgle on Fargo—have earned her Emmy nominations, and that number seems likely to grow thanks to her delicious performance as Laurie, an uptight workaholic in the midst of a midlife crisis in The White Lotus season three. —Sam Reed, Glamour, 23 June 2025

In Stick, Owen Wilson stars as Pryce Cahill, a former professional golfer grappling with a post-divorce midlife crisis. —Monica Mercuri, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025

Veering into a midlife crisis, the bisexual Sparrow and her partner, Stuart, agree to pursue a polyamorous entanglement with Sparrow’s old crush, Naomi. —Andrea Long Chu, Vulture, 16 June 2025

This occupational shift wasn’t the result of some grand career plan or a midlife crisis inspiring me to pursue a lifelong dream. —James Ponti, People.com, 15 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1965, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for midlife crisis

• ecdysis
• haemoptysis
• hemoptysis
• lysis
• phthisis

Medical Definition

midlife crisis

noun

: a period of emotional turmoil in middle age caused by the realization that one is no longer young and characterized especially by a strong desire for change