sensationalism
noun
sen·sa·tion·al·ism
sen-ˈsā-sh(ə-)nə-ˌli-zəm 
2
: the use or effect of sensational subject matter or treatment
Examples of sensationalism in a Sentence
The network was accused of sensationalism in its reporting.
Recent Examples on the Web
The dramatization of one of the darkest chapters in American crime history has drawn plaudits for sidestepping easy sensationalism about the Chicago contractor and amateur clown who murdered 33 boys in the 1970s, burying them in a crawl space beneath his house.
—
Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 21 Oct. 2025
These included inaccuracy, sensationalism of the tragedy, a loss of privacy, uncomfortable interactions with true crime consumers and online trolls, and a lack of control in how the stories are edited, resulting in further harm to their mental wellbeing.
—Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Oct. 2025
One flashy claim can dominate the conversation, and in the social media era, sensationalism is amplified.
—Adam Frank, Big Think, 25 Sep. 2025
The film frames itself as both drama and historical revisionism, rejecting sensationalism to center the human cost of the tragedy.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 21 Sep. 2025
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Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 21 Oct. 2025
These included inaccuracy, sensationalism of the tragedy, a loss of privacy, uncomfortable interactions with true crime consumers and online trolls, and a lack of control in how the stories are edited, resulting in further harm to their mental wellbeing.
—Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Oct. 2025
One flashy claim can dominate the conversation, and in the social media era, sensationalism is amplified.
—Adam Frank, Big Think, 25 Sep. 2025
The film frames itself as both drama and historical revisionism, rejecting sensationalism to center the human cost of the tragedy.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 21 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sensationalism
Cite this Entry
“Sensationalism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sensationalism. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
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