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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
Examples of split personality in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
His lawyer, played by that tough nut Catherine Keener, argues that Arthur didn’t really commit the crimes, because he’s got a split personality, a deranged alter ego, a hidden identity that takes him over.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 4 Sep. 2024
No one conveys the split personality that language proficiency can create more brilliantly than Sahar Bibiyan as Roya, who seems painfully shy when trying to speak English but proves the most forceful person in the room in Farsi.
—Rob Hubbard, Twin Cities, 22 July 2024
The former follows a man with a distinctively split personality, while the latter is about two sets of twins trying to find their other halves.
—Isha Trivedi, The Mercury News, 22 July 2024
The Bush administration’s pro-democracy… Promoting Democracy and Fighting Terror
During the war on terrorism, George W. Bush has shown a split personality on the promotion of democracy abroad.
—Thomas Carothers, Foreign Affairs, 10 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for split personality
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'split personality.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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 17 Sep. 2024.
Kids Definition
split personality
noun1
: multiple personality disorder
—not used technically
2
: a double character or nature
a city with a split personality
Medical Definition
split personality
noun1
: schizophrenia
—not used technically
2
: multiple personality disorder
—not used technically
More from Merriam-Webster on split personality
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about split personality
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