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
Synonyms of sensational
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
Bardot's second career as an animal rights activist was equally sensational.
—
CBS News, 28 Dec. 2025
Then there’s something called Firecrackers, an early 2000s iteration of the 1980s sensational snack—oyster crackers tossed with a packet of ranch salad dressing mix and oil.
—Anne Byrn, Southern Living, 22 Dec. 2025
Lindsey Vonn won a World Cup race after coming out of retirement at 41, only to be topped in terms of sensational headlines by 44-year-old Philip Rivers serving as the Indianapolis Colts quarterback nearly five years after taking his last NFL snap.
—Hannah Keyser, CNN Money, 21 Dec. 2025
This three-room B&B has sensational views of Asahidake and the Tokachi mountain range, and the husband-and-wife owners also own a butcher shop and prepare delicious meals starring local pork sagari.
—Jen Murphy, Outside, 20 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sensational
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CBS News, 28 Dec. 2025
Then there’s something called Firecrackers, an early 2000s iteration of the 1980s sensational snack—oyster crackers tossed with a packet of ranch salad dressing mix and oil.
—Anne Byrn, Southern Living, 22 Dec. 2025
Lindsey Vonn won a World Cup race after coming out of retirement at 41, only to be topped in terms of sensational headlines by 44-year-old Philip Rivers serving as the Indianapolis Colts quarterback nearly five years after taking his last NFL snap.
—Hannah Keyser, CNN Money, 21 Dec. 2025
This three-room B&B has sensational views of Asahidake and the Tokachi mountain range, and the husband-and-wife owners also own a butcher shop and prepare delicious meals starring local pork sagari.
—Jen Murphy, Outside, 20 Dec. 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 6 Jan. 2026.
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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