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

Auburn’s ongoing identity crisis Auburn’s 2025 season has been defined by inconsistency. —Zach Sweet, Kansas City Star, 17 Oct. 2025

Not for Radio represents a creative reset born from heartbreak… and a bit of an identity crisis. —Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 10 Oct. 2025

Maddock likens losing her long hair to an identity crisis. —Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 9 Oct. 2025

Fashion’s recent obsession with nostalgia, be that the 70s, 90s or Y2K style codes, is well documented and perhaps indicative of an industry weathering an identity crisis. —Fiona Sinclair Scott, CNN Money, 8 Oct. 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