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

The story picks up years after Tess (Curtis) and Anna (Lohan) endured an identity crisis. —Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 6 June 2025

Taken together, these disasters have triggered something like an identity crisis. —Lane Brown, Vulture, 3 June 2025

Bono is getting candid about his experience living under the spotlight — and how that led to an identity crisis. —Daniela Avila, People.com, 30 May 2025

These individuals remain in an identity crisis — constantly searching but never committing to a cohesive self-narrative. —Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 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