as in to exaggerate
disapproving
to describe or show something in a way that makes it seem more shocking than it really is
Journalists should report the news accurately without trying to sensationalize it.
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Recent Examples of sensationalize
Media personalities, from journalists to hack YouTubers, will find a way to sensationalize trauma, while wannabe comedians will always find something funny.
—
Andre Gee, Rolling Stone, 3 July 2025
This refusal to sensationalize marks a departure from many books and movies with trauma plots.
—Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 29 June 2025
Director: Gianna Toboni Screenwriters: Gianna Toboni, Jacqueline Toboni, Samantha Wender
1 hour 33 minutes
But these aesthetic choices never sensationalize the realities of these participants, instead underscoring the harrowing stakes of their experiences.
—Lovia Gyarkye, HollywoodReporter, 13 June 2025
In a move that sensationalized their French hosts, wineries from Napa County were best rated in both categories in what became known as the Judgment of Paris.
—Mark Weinstein, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sensationalize
Andre Gee, Rolling Stone, 3 July 2025
This refusal to sensationalize marks a departure from many books and movies with trauma plots.
—Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 29 June 2025
Director: Gianna Toboni Screenwriters: Gianna Toboni, Jacqueline Toboni, Samantha Wender
1 hour 33 minutes
But these aesthetic choices never sensationalize the realities of these participants, instead underscoring the harrowing stakes of their experiences.
—Lovia Gyarkye, HollywoodReporter, 13 June 2025
In a move that sensationalized their French hosts, wineries from Napa County were best rated in both categories in what became known as the Judgment of Paris.
—Mark Weinstein, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sensationalize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sensationalize
exaggerate
Verb
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In early 2025, the stock fell nearly 57% from February to April in the wake of a short-seller report that alleged the company had exaggerated its e-commerce performance and breached service terms.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
-
This performative solidarity was not appreciated by Saudi commentators who argued Egypt exaggerated the seriousness of Netanyahu's comments in a bid to drag Saudi Arabia in a confrontation with the Israelis for political reasons.—
Khaled Hassan,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sensationalize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sensationalize. Accessed 13 Sep. 2025.
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