as in sensational
arousing a strong and usually superficial interest or emotional reaction
letters to the editor criticizing the newspaper's sensationalistic reporting
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Recent Examples of sensationalistic
And the patchwork style of Brij Sadanah’s direction enhances the colorfully over-the-top story, which recasts Wuthering Heights as a sensationalistic revenge drama.
—
Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 16 Feb. 2026
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
Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 16 Feb. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sensationalistic
Adjective
-
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
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There's a drink for every occasion among our sensational picks!—
Sonal Dutt,
PEOPLE,
3 June 2026
Adjective
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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 9 Jun. 2026.
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