1,400 new words in our dictionary! — Parasocial, glow-up, promposal & more
1,400 new words in our dictionary! — More

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 Compression boots use inflatable air chambers that rhythmically squeeze and release the legs in sections, delivering a massage-like sensation typically used for dedicated recovery sessions. — Samantha Agate, Sacbee.com, 14 Sep. 2026 Every interaction becomes a hurdle for Arash, if only because the imperfections of life in modern Iran reinforce the sensation of being truly alive, in all its rankling complexity. — Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 11 Sep. 2026 Many people don't like the sensation of foam or silicone eartips jammed into their ear canal. — Eric Zeman, PC Magazine, 10 Sep. 2026 Cannes sensation Club Kid and Jesse Eisenberg‘s upcoming musical follow-up to A Real Pain, The Debut, both of which will receive their New York premieres. — Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 10 Sep. 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
  • Director Margaret Shigeko Starbuck leans into makeshift theatricality — flashlights, pool noodles, pocket umbrellas — while a nimble ensemble balances meta-theatrical humor with genuine feeling for Pericles and his beleaguered family.
    — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 5 Sep. 2026
  • Their failure to receive one may be attributed to their having vague symptoms, such as a general feeling of malaise, weakness, or fluctuating muscle pain.
    — Jerome Groopman, The New York Review of Books, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of feeling
Noun
  • The largest post-pandemic month is still July 2023, thanks to the Barbenheimer craze.
    — Zac Ntim, Deadline, 10 Sep. 2026
  • Over the last several months, the brand has embraced the ongoing nostalgia craze and resurgence of Y2K styles and reference points.
    — Julia Teti, Footwear News, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of craze
Noun
  • A number of cases of possible miracles are under review at the Vatican.
    — Joe Holden, CBS News, 15 Sep. 2026
  • On Sunday, the plan appeared no more complex than hoping that Bruno Fernandes or Kobbie Mainoo could produce a miracle pass or, in the first half, that Marcus Rashford could generate momentum by skipping past defenders.
    — Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of miracle
Noun
  • After phasing it out in 2022, the brand brought back the original formula last year in response to fans who missed its weightless feel and natural-looking medium coverage.
    — Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 6 Sep. 2026
  • From its thick, comfortable cushioning to its lightweight, stable feel, the Stealth/Tech Bondi 8 is built with many of the same features as the original Bondi 8.
    — Jasmine Gomez, Travel + Leisure, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of feel
Noun
  • Jacksonville Jaguars kicker Cam Little became the face of the trend last year, making a 70-yarder in preseason and then a regular-season record 68-yarder.
    — Saad Yousuf, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
  • In the 2002 midterms, Republicans again bucked the historical trend, gaining seats in both chambers following the post-9/11 political climate.
    — Cal Thomas, Arkansas Online, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of trend
Noun
  • This phenomenon is fairly common, with over two-thirds of people sleeptalking at one time or another.
    — Michael R. Nadorff, The Conversation, 14 Sep. 2026
  • An already-strong El Niño just turned super as the phenomenon crosses into unprecedented territory.
    — Mary Gilbert, CNN Money, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of phenomenon
Noun
  • Bieber and Gausman are the two names on this list that make the most sense to bring back.
    — Mitch Bannon, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
  • Karrahboooo’s flow, kind of like Veeze or Lucki, manages to feel both laid back and conversational and deeply and intricately rhythmic, an almost enchanting combination made more potent by Karrahbooo’s almost dance-leaning sense of melody.
    — Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 8 Sep. 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 18 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on sensation

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about sensation

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of churlish

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Words from the 'Odyssey'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 18
See More

Popular

See More

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
crayons-in-a-circle
Guess the Color Quiz Questions that use the whole box of crayons.
See All