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

Example Sentences

The network was accused of sensationalism in its reporting.

Recent Examples on the Web

Many critics of the time, repelled by his vigilantism and sensationalism, condemned his books as nasty, poor, brutish and not short enough. —Michael Saler, WSJ, 26 Jan. 2023

The industry touches on ethics and economics, environmentalism and sentimentalism, science and sensationalism, often in surprising ways. —Mark Jenkins, Smithsonian Magazine, 11 Jan. 2023

The series all but dives into the sensationalism of the Charles and Diana saga, but don’t worry — Imelda Staunton’s Queen Elizabeth II and Jonathan Pryce’s Prince Philip bring plenty of their own intrigue as well. —Savannah Salazar, Vulture, 11 Nov. 2022

The firm making these claims has a history of sensationalism. —Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 9 Aug. 2011

Angelica Jade Bastién resists any sensationalism, and her piece is more powerful for it. —Carolyn Wells, Longreads, 26 Oct. 2022

The researchers urged caution when interpreting their work, as the Mosuo are often subject to lurid sensationalism because of their different way of life. —Charles Choi, Discover Magazine, 8 Jan. 2018

Whether the widespread fear of spiders came before arachnid sensationalism, or vice versa, the two undoubtedly feed off each other. —Oliver Whang, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2022

Too, a commentary on TikTok bullying, a simple legal issue obscured by sensationalism, or an example of the hot-take express at work. —Victoria Bekiempis, Vulture, 26 May 2022

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Word History

First Known Use

1846, in the meaning defined at sense 1