split personality

noun

1
a
: schizophrenia
not used technically
b
: multiple personality disorder
not used technically
2
: a dual nature or character
a city with a split personality

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web By this point Lufton has identified within himself a starkly split personality. Sam Sacks, WSJ, 4 Mar. 2022 Erik Asphaug, a planetary scientist at the University of California, Santa Cruz, traces this split personality back to a time when Earth had not one moon but two. Paul Raeburn, Discover Magazine, 27 Dec. 2011 But America suffers from a split personality in this regard. Neuroskeptic, Discover Magazine, 23 June 2010 The problem is the Republican Caucus has a split personality. ABC News, 4 Dec. 2022 PufferFish's ambience at Metro will be something of a split personality to accommodate two kinds of customers — moody inside, with low lighting and candles, and a party outside, with bossanova on the jukebox. Carol Deptolla, Journal Sentinel, 9 June 2022 The restaurant masterfully executes its split personality. Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 6 Apr. 2022 Ukrainian Ambassador Andriy Melnyk appears to have a split personality. Markus Ziener, Los Angeles Times, 1 Apr. 2022 None of the family members seem to be aware that something is amiss except for Pat, who can see a woman, Rosemary, who may be a demon, a split personality or a muse. Chris Gardner, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 Mar. 2022 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'split personality.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

First Known Use

1919, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of split personality was in 1919

Dictionary Entries Near split personality

Cite this Entry

“Split personality.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/split%20personality. Accessed 20 Mar. 2023.

Kids Definition

split personality

noun
1
: a mental and emotional disorder in which the personality becomes separated into two or more parts each of which controls behavior part of the time
2
: a double character or nature
a city with a split personality

Medical Definition

split personality

noun
1
: schizophrenia
not used technically
2
: multiple personality disorder
not used technically

More from Merriam-Webster on split personality

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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