sensationalism

noun

sen·​sa·​tion·​al·​ism sen-ˈsā-shnə-ˌli-zəm 

-shə-nə-ˌli-zəm

1

: empiricism that limits experience as a source of knowledge to sensation or sense perceptions

2

: the use or effect of sensational subject matter or treatment

sensationalist

sen-ˈsā-shnə-list 

adjective or noun

sensationalistic

sen-ˌsā-shnə-ˈli-stik 

-shə-nə-ˈlis-tik

adjective

Examples of sensationalism in a Sentence

The network was accused of sensationalism in its reporting.

Recent Examples on the Web

With far more stories and voices finding an audience, populist narratives—which often contained a whiff of sensationalism or provocation—became particularly attractive to media organizations that were chasing eyeballs as revenue from subscriptions and traditional advertising plummeted. —Cas Mudde, Foreign Affairs, 17 Oct. 2016

Sleaze marries sleaze and sensationalism wins the day. —Patrick Wallis, Baltimore Sun, 24 May 2024

With countless outlets and platforms vying for attention, distinguishing credible reporting from sensationalism has become increasingly challenging. —Kyle J. Russell, USA TODAY, 20 Apr. 2024

If journalists reporting on health veer into sensationalism and scaremongering, and this literally causes readers harm, was their choice of words unethical? —TIME, 4 Apr. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1846, in the meaning defined at sense 1