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
Willis then turned his career around with a sensational 2024 campaign.
—
Rob Reischel, Forbes.com, 2 July 2025
On the surface, there's the sensational one that AI is evil and will wipe us all out if given half a chance.
—David Szondy
june 28, New Atlas, 28 June 2025
Many of the films under review were derived from sensational source material optioned by a studio only to be de-sexualized (at least on the page) and rendered the most distant of cousins to their sources.
—Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune, 27 June 2025
The story of Karen Read — recently found not guilty after a sensational murder trial that drew wall-to-wall media coverage and inspired a fierce public reckoning — is described as more than a courtroom drama.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 27 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for sensational
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Rob Reischel, Forbes.com, 2 July 2025
On the surface, there's the sensational one that AI is evil and will wipe us all out if given half a chance.
—David Szondy
june 28, New Atlas, 28 June 2025
Many of the films under review were derived from sensational source material optioned by a studio only to be de-sexualized (at least on the page) and rendered the most distant of cousins to their sources.
—Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune, 27 June 2025
The story of Karen Read — recently found not guilty after a sensational murder trial that drew wall-to-wall media coverage and inspired a fierce public reckoning — is described as more than a courtroom drama.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 27 June 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 18 Jul. 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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