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

Our national identity crisis has coincided with another, much larger one. —Ola Morris Innset, The Dial, 2 June 2026

My uncontrollable emotions and my identity crisis also hindered me from being able to enjoy the time with my kids. —Simone Sauter, Parents, 30 May 2026

Initially, Adler felt crushed to find out he was adopted illegally, sending him into an identity crisis that led to years of therapy. —ABC News, 28 May 2026

The end of Stephen Colbert's *Late Show* highlights a growing professional identity crisis, mirroring the struggles of thousands of workers laid off in recent years. —Juliette Han, Forbes.com, 24 May 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