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 true story of a boy’s Italian identity crisis is uncannily timely. —Armond White, National Review, 12 July 2024

Despite Zaslav’s best efforts, a lot of people still think of Max as HBO going through a truly wild identity crisis, like a corporation struggling to find itself after its parent company married some weird guy. —Charles Pulliam-Moore, The Verge, 11 July 2024

Until Myanmar can transcend the racial and national myths that predate the nation’s independence, its identity crisis will continue to exact a harrowing human cost. —Sebastian Strangio, Foreign Affairs, 14 Apr. 2020

But the Libertarian Party is having an identity crisis, exacerbated by Oliver’s own identity. —Stephen Fowler, NPR, 21 June 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1941, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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