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

Now, she's being handed the reins to replace the network's biggest star amid dangerous political territory for Democrats, who lack majorities in both chambers of Congress and have faced an identity crisis since November, when former Vice President Kamala Harris lost to Trump. —Jay Stahl, USA Today, 24 Apr. 2025

As highlighted in a Harvard Business Review article, working through a professional identity crisis involves redefining your self-concept and aligning it with your aspirations. —Carrie Anne Yu, Forbes.com, 3 Apr. 2025

Growing up, that identity crisis used to feel like such a curse for me. —Becky G, Billboard, 27 Mar. 2025

And letting go of pitching, at least for the time being, doesn’t seem to have presented any sort of identity crisis. —Vahe Gregorian, Kansas City Star, 13 Mar. 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