as in sensational
arousing a strong and usually superficial interest or emotional reaction
letters to the editor criticizing the newspaper's sensationalistic reporting
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 sensationalistic
The result is just old-fashioned cinematic fools’ gold, in which sensationalistic blather poses as social commentary.
—
David Fear, Rolling Stone, 9 Oct. 2025
With a lesser interpreter, the movie might have been just a sensationalistic shocker, but Keaton brought integrity and emotional candor to Theresa’s messy search to define herself.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2019
David Fear, Rolling Stone, 9 Oct. 2025
With a lesser interpreter, the movie might have been just a sensationalistic shocker, but Keaton brought integrity and emotional candor to Theresa’s messy search to define herself.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sensationalistic
Adjective
-
Quarterback Josh Allen was sensational Sunday in the Bills’ 28-21 win over the Chiefs at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, New York.—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
3 Nov. 2025
-
But uncredited parts in the sensational 1961 Carroll Baker thriller Something Wild, and Norman Jewison's nightclub comedy 40 Pounds of Trouble from the year after, led to significant parts in some of the landmark films of the latter half of the Hollywood century.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
3 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
But times have changed, and this team of buffoons is forced to grapple with changing industry ethics and sensationalist journalism in its transition, all while Ron faces an identity crisis that challenges his bravado, his massive ego.—
Travis Bean,
Forbes.com,
22 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sensationalistic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sensationalistic. Accessed 20 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share