sensationalize
verb
sen·sa·tion·al·ize
sen-ˈsā-shnə-ˌlīz 
sensationalized; sensationalizing
: to present in a sensational manner
Example Sentences
Journalists should report the news accurately without trying to sensationalize it.
Recent Examples on the Web
The couple were creatively brave and honest enough to trust Jones to depict that without sensationalizing it.
—
Matt Wake | Mwake@al.com, al, 9 Apr. 2023
Demolition also removes efforts to further sensationalize the crime scene.
—Corin Cesaric, Peoplemag, 15 May 2023
More importantly, the IAE warned that the film sensationalized exorcism and failed to convey the suffering of those in need of this ritual.
—Joseph P. Laycock, Fortune, 4 May 2023
The collections have been the soul and backbone of LACMA and would be the envy of most museums, but the impulse behind the architectural effort, the unstated subconscious of the project, was more fundamentally to sensationalize the design into a spectacle.
—Joseph Giovannini, The New York Review of Books, 2 Oct. 2020
In uncertain times with some media commentators sensationalizing the news rather than sticking with the facts, no news does not necessarily equate to good news for these employees.
—Jim Deloach, Forbes, 16 Mar. 2023
Here’s how: The Sopranos imitates Goodfellas; Game of Thrones sensationalizes Lord of the Rings; The White Lotus pillages House of Gucci; and HBO’s racialized Watchmen weaponizes Zack Snyder’s Watchmen.
—Armond White, National Review, 1 Mar. 2023
In the two-minute clip for the popular Formula 1 documentary series, two-time champion Max Verstappen returns to the hot seat after sitting out of the project last season, claiming that the producers sensationalized drama.
—Victoria Hernandez, USA TODAY, 17 Feb. 2023
But botched police work, a public prosecutor with overweening political ambitions, and sensationalized reports in the local press combined to whip the public into a vicious prejudicial frenzy—against Yankees, northern industrialists, and Jews.
—Leslie Camhi, Vogue, 21 Feb. 2023
See More
Matt Wake | Mwake@al.com, al, 9 Apr. 2023
Demolition also removes efforts to further sensationalize the crime scene.
—Corin Cesaric, Peoplemag, 15 May 2023
More importantly, the IAE warned that the film sensationalized exorcism and failed to convey the suffering of those in need of this ritual.
—Joseph P. Laycock, Fortune, 4 May 2023
The collections have been the soul and backbone of LACMA and would be the envy of most museums, but the impulse behind the architectural effort, the unstated subconscious of the project, was more fundamentally to sensationalize the design into a spectacle.
—Joseph Giovannini, The New York Review of Books, 2 Oct. 2020
In uncertain times with some media commentators sensationalizing the news rather than sticking with the facts, no news does not necessarily equate to good news for these employees.
—Jim Deloach, Forbes, 16 Mar. 2023
Here’s how: The Sopranos imitates Goodfellas; Game of Thrones sensationalizes Lord of the Rings; The White Lotus pillages House of Gucci; and HBO’s racialized Watchmen weaponizes Zack Snyder’s Watchmen.
—Armond White, National Review, 1 Mar. 2023
In the two-minute clip for the popular Formula 1 documentary series, two-time champion Max Verstappen returns to the hot seat after sitting out of the project last season, claiming that the producers sensationalized drama.
—Victoria Hernandez, USA TODAY, 17 Feb. 2023
But botched police work, a public prosecutor with overweening political ambitions, and sensationalized reports in the local press combined to whip the public into a vicious prejudicial frenzy—against Yankees, northern industrialists, and Jews.
—Leslie Camhi, Vogue, 21 Feb. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sensationalize.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1863, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near sensationalize
Cite this Entry
“Sensationalize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sensationalize. Accessed 3 Jun. 2023.
Copy Citation
More from Merriam-Webster on sensationalize
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Words at Play
-
Palter, Dissemble, and Other Words for Lying
Trust us
-
Skunk, Bayou, and Other Words with Native American Origins
You've used more than you might think
-
Words For Things You Didn't Know Have Names, Vol. 2
When 'thingamajig' and 'thingamabob' just won't do
-
When Were Words First Used?
Look up any year to find out
Ask the Editors
Word Games
Share