sensational
adjective
sen·sa·tion·al
sen-ˈsā-sh(ə-)nəl 
2
: arousing or tending to arouse (as by lurid details) a quick, intense, and usually superficial interest, curiosity, or emotional reaction
sensational tabloid news
3
: exceedingly or unexpectedly excellent or great
a sensational talent
sensationally
adverb
Examples of sensational in a Sentence
She looked sensational in her new dress.
the sensational news story caused a stir, but after a few days everyone forgot about it
Recent Examples on the Web
The wideout caught a Colts QB Daniel Jones throw for what would have been a sensational 76-yard touchdown in the third quarter, spinning away from two tacklers.
—
George Ramsay, CNN Money, 29 Sep. 2025
Despite sensational claims, no truly pristine stars have been observed.
—Ethan Siegel, Big Think, 29 Sep. 2025
The French quartet, which ranks on the short list of the greatest metal acts of all time, is absolutely sensational in concert and should pretty easily top Korn, Blink-182 and other big-name acts on the Aftershock bill.
—Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 24 Sep. 2025
The New York Yankees beat the Chicago White Sox 3-2 on Tuesday, scoring the tying and winning runs in sensational fashion in the bottom of the ninth inning.
—Julio Cesar Valdera Morales, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sensational
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George Ramsay, CNN Money, 29 Sep. 2025
Despite sensational claims, no truly pristine stars have been observed.
—Ethan Siegel, Big Think, 29 Sep. 2025
The French quartet, which ranks on the short list of the greatest metal acts of all time, is absolutely sensational in concert and should pretty easily top Korn, Blink-182 and other big-name acts on the Aftershock bill.
—Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 24 Sep. 2025
The New York Yankees beat the Chicago White Sox 3-2 on Tuesday, scoring the tying and winning runs in sensational fashion in the bottom of the ninth inning.
—Julio Cesar Valdera Morales, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sensational
Cite this Entry
“Sensational.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sensational. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
sensational
adjective
sen·sa·tion·al
sen-ˈsā-shnəl
-shən-ᵊl,
sən-
1
: of or relating to sensation or the senses
2
: arousing a strong and usually shallow interest or emotional reaction
sensational news
3
: exceedingly or unexpectedly excellent or great
a sensational diving catch
sensationally
adverb
-ē
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