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

Just about every character in the movie is undergoing some sort of an identity crisis, yet rather than making the picture feel 'dark,' these various schizoid headcases bounce off each other like brightly colored billiard balls. —Ew Staff, EW.com, 15 June 2025

While Darin is remembered for his magnetic charisma and genre-hopping catalog, his tumultuous 37 years — marked by illness, heartbreak, identity crises, and artistic reinvention — demand something deeper. —Jordan Runtagh, People.com, 22 May 2025

Lisa references confused nerve endings and anatomical identity crises. —Clayton Davis, Variety, 5 May 2025

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