identity crisis
Americannoun
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a period or episode of psychological distress, often occurring in adolescence but sometimes in adulthood, when a person seeks a clearer sense of self and an acceptable role in society.
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confusion as to goals and priorities.
The company is undergoing an identity crisis.
Etymology
Origin of identity crisis
First recorded in 1950–55
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
All of this feeds into a broader identity crisis, with supporters yearning for a return to the early Abramovich era, but experiencing similar managerial turnover under the American ownership - without the same consistent success.
From BBC • May 16, 2026
He now finds himself facing a daunting new challenge: Helming one of the country’s top law firms in its throes of an identity crisis.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 6, 2026
An Israeli in Paris undergoes a strange, thrillingly unpredictable identity crisis in Nadav Lapid’s prize-winning third feature.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026
As for what to do now, some observations: First, flat isn’t so bad for a stock index having an identity crisis.
From Barron's • Feb. 20, 2026
“You know me better than anyone. And if I am having an identity crisis, at least you can help me get a good song out of it.”
From "Amina's Song" by Hena Khan
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
