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
If the Brewers are the most compelling story of the season, the best story on the Brewers has been the sudden, sensational rise of 6-foot-7, 190-pound righty pitcher Jacob Misiorowski.
—
Jon Vankin, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Aug. 2025
Angel Correa continued a sensational start to Leagues Cup play for Tigres (2-0-0), providing both of the visitors’ goals.
—Kyle Kensing, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Aug. 2025
In 1985 and 1987, B.D. wrote sensational memoirs that painted Davis in an unflattering light.
—Julie Tremaine, People.com, 2 Aug. 2025
Combined, the ground-to-space radio telescope network formed an interferometer with a baseline (i.e., its virtual aperture) that was five times the diameter of Earth, and this enabled sensational resolving power.
—Keith Cooper, Space.com, 1 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sensational
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Jon Vankin, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Aug. 2025
Angel Correa continued a sensational start to Leagues Cup play for Tigres (2-0-0), providing both of the visitors’ goals.
—Kyle Kensing, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Aug. 2025
In 1985 and 1987, B.D. wrote sensational memoirs that painted Davis in an unflattering light.
—Julie Tremaine, People.com, 2 Aug. 2025
Combined, the ground-to-space radio telescope network formed an interferometer with a baseline (i.e., its virtual aperture) that was five times the diameter of Earth, and this enabled sensational resolving power.
—Keith Cooper, Space.com, 1 Aug. 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 20 Aug. 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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