Synonyms

midlife crisis

American

noun

a period of psychological stress occurring in middle age, thought to be triggered by a physical, occupational, or domestic event, as menopause, diminution of physical prowess, job loss, or departure of children from the home.

midlife crisis British

/ ˈmɪdˌlaɪf /

noun

a crisis that may be experienced in middle age involving frustration, panic, and feelings of pointlessness, sometimes resulting in radical and often ill-advised changes of lifestyle

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of midlife crisis

First recorded in 1970–75

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.

"Some men when they have a midlife crisis buy a Lamborghini or grow a ponytail, but me - I want my very own castle," said Carr who is approaching 50.

From BBC

"Some men when they have a midlife crisis buy a Lamborghini or grow a ponytail, but me - I want my very own castle," he said.

From BBC

“We say midlife crisis or whatever, but it’s a time of questioning, a time where you take stock of your life,” says showrunner Aseem Batra.

From Los Angeles Times

“Yesterday, for the first time. And, just like that, they’re going to try to buy it today. I think they’re having a midlife crisis. They’re insane. Why do they have to ruin my life?”

From Literature

American shale producers are in a midlife crisis: They know their best days of growth are behind them.

From The Wall Street Journal

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023