Synonyms of sensationalistic

sensationalistic

adjective

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

• sensational
• sensationalist
• screaming
• juicy
• colorful
• lurid
• theatrical
• gee-whiz
• dramatic
• catchpenny
• shocking
• suggestive
• melodramatic
• catchy
• histrionic
• racy
• gory
• vulgar
• coarse

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• innocuous
• inoffensive
• tame
• nonsensational
• dignified
• proper
• restrained
• formal

Example Sentences

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