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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
But what if this is the new norm, and the midlife crisis is going extinct the way other trappings of the 20th century have, like dial-up internet and Kodak film? Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 1 Sep. 2025 Whatever the causes, the findings suggest that the familiar image of a midlife crisis may no longer reflect reality. Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Aug. 2025 The movie stars Will Arnett, who also co-wrote the film, as a New York City stand-up comedian having a midlife crisis after a split from his wife, played by Laura Dern. Christian Blauvelt, IndieWire, 26 Aug. 2025 Created by Nicholas Stoller and Francesca Delbanco, the cozy, gauzy, Los Angeles–set comedy follows two former best friends in their 40s, Will and Sylvia, who reconnect years after a falling out, each in the midst of their own midlife crisis. Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 31 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for midlife crisis

Word History

First Known Use

1965, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of midlife crisis was in 1965

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Cite this Entry

“Midlife crisis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/midlife%20crisis. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.

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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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