1
as in juicy
arousing a strong and usually superficial interest or emotional reaction
the sensational news story caused a stir, but after a few days everyone forgot about it
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in sensory
of or relating to physical sensation or the senses
sensational hallucinations
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in excellent
of the very best kind
this ice cream is sensational
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of sensational
Cooper Flagg, the rare basketball star who grew up in Maine, had a sensational debut for the Dallas Mavericks, who lucked into the top pick in the 2025 NBA draft and might have found their next superstar.
—
Sean Gregory, Time, 9 June 2026
Heney was nothing short of sensational, following the home run by holding 18 straight batters without a hit.
—Tom Mulherin, Boston Herald, 8 June 2026
Instead of sculpting a sensational Trail of Tears scene of violent removal, Lewis opts for something tranquil.
—Zachary Fine, New Yorker, 8 June 2026
There are valid criticisms surrounding the true crime genre, including accusations that the medium has become sensational and exploitative.
—James Mercadante, Entertainment Weekly, 4 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for sensational
Sean Gregory, Time, 9 June 2026
Heney was nothing short of sensational, following the home run by holding 18 straight batters without a hit.
—Tom Mulherin, Boston Herald, 8 June 2026
Instead of sculpting a sensational Trail of Tears scene of violent removal, Lewis opts for something tranquil.
—Zachary Fine, New Yorker, 8 June 2026
There are valid criticisms surrounding the true crime genre, including accusations that the medium has become sensational and exploitative.
—James Mercadante, Entertainment Weekly, 4 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for sensational
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sensational
Adjective
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Use ripe, juicy peaches that have a little give and are slightly wrinkled around the stem.—
Patricia S York,
Southern Living,
12 June 2026
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Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.—
Michelle Lee,
PEOPLE,
11 June 2026
Adjective
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The rich sensory innervation has led to its classification, in some people, as an erogenous zone; zoologist Desmond Morris famously speculated in The Naked Ape (1967) that earlobes evolved precisely as an additional zone of sensitivity to facilitate pair bonding in humans.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
13 June 2026
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The rostrum is covered in what is called Ampullae of Lorenzini, which are specialized sensory organs filled with gel that conduct electricity and allow the goblin sharks to search for squid, fish and crustaceans in the dark.—
Julia Jacobo,
ABC News,
12 June 2026
Adjective
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Marquinhos — Brazil/PSG The grizzled leader of PSG’s excellent defence occupies a similar role for Brazil, and his partnership with Gabriel will be the foundation for any deep World Cup run.—
Liam Twomey,
New York Times,
11 June 2026
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Watts got another excellent chance in the waning seconds, but the Patriots defense forced the shot to go wide.—
Jack Murray,
Boston Herald,
11 June 2026
Adjective
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Sprouting from its Inlet Parking Lot, the historic Boardwalk features a lively mix of colorful shops, enticing restaurants, arcades and more.—
USA TODAY Network,
USA Today,
10 June 2026
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Plants with colorful or fragrant blooms attract insects for pollination, and are less likely to affect allergies.—
Alexandra Jones,
The Spruce,
10 June 2026
Adjective
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There's a sensual coo just waiting to whisper out of you this week, Sagittarius, so be sure to set aside some time for intimacy.—
Kyle Thomas,
PEOPLE,
7 June 2026
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The contemporary luxury womenswear brand includes structured pieces with statement cutouts aplenty in the sensual designs from Mizrahi.—
Julia Teti,
Footwear News,
4 June 2026
Adjective
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Cutting a ribbon, celebrating this wonderful binational relationship, and the wonderful Gordie Howe Bridge that is the new crossing linking Windsor and Detroit.—
Paula Wethington,
CBS News,
9 June 2026
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However, while this plant is wonderful for home gardens and dinner tables, not all plants will work well as its neighbor.—
Michelle Mastro,
Martha Stewart,
9 June 2026
Adjective
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There was more screaming and yelling for people who wanted to get a ventilator available in their home.—
Chris Lee,
Vulture,
16 Feb. 2021
Adjective
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At the Canadian Pavilion, Abbas Akhavan created a sensorial environment centered on fragility, displacement, breath, and survival.—
Thomas Rom,
ARTnews.com,
8 June 2026
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What’s more, the product delivers a luxe sensorial experience and a bit of an afterglow.—
Jenny Berg,
Vogue,
1 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sensational.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sensational. Accessed 14 Jun. 2026.
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