sensation

noun

sen-ˈsā-shən How to pronounce sensation (audio)
Definition of sensationnext
1
as in feeling
an indefinite physical response to a stimulus we felt just the smallest sensation of warmth when we leaned against the radiator

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in craze
a practice or interest that is very popular for a short time the satirical video was a short-lived online sensation

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in miracle
something extraordinary or surprising the first clone was considered a sensation

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of sensation All Googlebooks have a metal chassis, and while most include hinge mechanisms beneath their touchpads, the Lenovo Googlebook has haptic motors beneath the touchpads to simulate the clicking sensation. — Joe Osborne, PC Magazine, 24 Oct. 2026 Some subjects who smiled would feel the sensation of the smile more and be more amused. — ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026 The Rays jumped on Milwaukee’s rookie sensation Logan Henderson, scoring four runs in the first inning, highlighted by Liam Hicks’ two-run home run. — Jacob Lev, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2026 After winning a prize in a juried exhibition at the Art Institute of Chicago, American Gothic—which reproduced well in newsprint thanks to those straightforward, geometric forms—became a sensation. — Kelly Presutti, ARTnews.com, 23 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sensation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sensation
  1. feeling
  2. craze
  3. miracle
  4. feel
  5. trend
  6. phenomenon
  7. sense
  8. latest
Noun
  • Smiling can affect brain chemicals that are associated with positive feelings including endorphins, dopamine and serotonin.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Embedded in the production of the show is the feeling of being trapped in a hall of mirrors; scenes are edited flagrantly, drowning the viewer in red herrings.
    — Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of feeling
Noun
  • Published over two years in 19 installments, The Pickwick Papers launched a craze for serialized fiction.
    — Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 30 Oct. 2026
  • In 2000, Stewart was cast as popular Marvel comic-book character Professor Xavier in X-Men, one of the flagship superhero movies that heralded the modern-day craze.
    — Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of craze
Noun
  • At this point, their winning one or two games would seem like a miracle.
    — David Troy OutKick, FOXNews.com, 27 Oct. 2026
  • Maybe that could explain some of the college basketball versions of a miracle that have crossed over to Villanova.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of miracle
Noun
  • The deep soaking tub and clear shower stall are set pieces in the room, creating a real open and airy feel.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Oct. 2026
  • The drums don’t get the lifelike feel from the buds' higher playback quality; cymbals in particular lack sizzle.
    — Mark Knapp, PC Magazine, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of feel
Noun
  • Track Pants Want to get in on the cool-girl pants trend backed by PEOPLE writers and A-listers like Jennifer Lawrence?
    — Nicol Natale, PEOPLE, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Despite the recent trend favoring Republicans among previously undecided voters in the survey, all seven Democratic candidates are still viewed more favorably by independents.
    — Carter Schroppe, The Washington Examiner, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of trend
Noun
  • The health emergency caused demand for fuel to crash to the point that the world ran out of room to store oil, a phenomenon that briefly drove crude oil futures below zero for the first time ever.
    — Matt Egan, CNN Money, 26 Oct. 2026
  • In 1980, to better understand this phenomenon, the mathematician and economist Graciela Chichilnisky turned to topology, an area of math in which shapes are considered equivalent if one can be stretched into another without tearing.
    — Alex Stone, Quanta Magazine, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of phenomenon
Noun
  • Art—in the broadest sense—has been enlisted to this aim in the region at least once before, namely in the construction of hundreds of new churches during the spiritual low point of the immediate postwar period.
    — Kristian Vistrup Madsen, Artforum, 1 Nov. 2026
  • But cancer, a spinal issue, and three surgeries in three years changed my body and my sense of balance.
    — Maribeth Romslo, Rolling Stone, 1 Nov. 2026
Definition of sense
Noun
  • The latests stats mean AI music has exploded by 650% in 16 months.
    — James Peckham, PC Magazine, 20 Apr. 2026
  • The latests forecasts show a new round of storm systems will increase rain chances across much of Northern California and the Central Valley in the coming days.
    — Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 9 Feb. 2026
Definition of latest

Browse Nearby Words

sensate
sensation
sensational
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sensation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sensation. Accessed 3 Nov. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on sensation

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about sensation

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