midlife crisis

noun

: a period of emotional turmoil in middle age characterized especially by a strong desire for change

Examples of midlife crisis in a Sentence

We knew he was going through a midlife crisis when he bought a new sports car.

Recent Examples on the Web

In Stick, Owen Wilson stars as Pryce Cahill, a former professional golfer grappling with a post-divorce midlife crisis. —Monica Mercuri, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025

Veering into a midlife crisis, the bisexual Sparrow and her partner, Stuart, agree to pursue a polyamorous entanglement with Sparrow’s old crush, Naomi. —Andrea Long Chu, Vulture, 16 June 2025

This occupational shift wasn’t the result of some grand career plan or a midlife crisis inspiring me to pursue a lifelong dream. —James Ponti, People.com, 15 June 2025

Warmer and more sentimental than Fey’s Mean Girls or 30 Rock, The Four Seasons sees three couples who vacation together every season find that midlife crises and the specter of divorce pose a very real threat to their bond. —Emma Specter, Vogue, 2 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1965, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for midlife crisis

• ecdysis
• haemoptysis
• hemoptysis
• lysis
• phthisis

Medical Definition

midlife crisis

noun

: a period of emotional turmoil in middle age caused by the realization that one is no longer young and characterized especially by a strong desire for change