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
Studies have found that people who watch a lot of local news, in which crime is often sensationalized, tend to get a distorted view of how dangerous their neighborhood is.
—
Zeynep Tufekci, Mercury News, 16 Sep. 2025
Aware of the raw, incendiary power of her subject matter, Ben Hania doesn’t sensationalize this story, keeping the action fixed entirely in the call center itself, with actors portraying the dispatchers on the line.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2025
Taxpayers should be cautious of advisors who sensationalize denaturalization risks to generate fees.
—Virginia La Torre Jeker, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2025
Inspired by the open, flat expanse of the American prairie, Wright’s designs sensationalized both the interior and home design worlds.
—AFAR Media, 14 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for sensationalize
Zeynep Tufekci, Mercury News, 16 Sep. 2025
Aware of the raw, incendiary power of her subject matter, Ben Hania doesn’t sensationalize this story, keeping the action fixed entirely in the call center itself, with actors portraying the dispatchers on the line.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2025
Taxpayers should be cautious of advisors who sensationalize denaturalization risks to generate fees.
—Virginia La Torre Jeker, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2025
Inspired by the open, flat expanse of the American prairie, Wright’s designs sensationalized both the interior and home design worlds.
—AFAR Media, 14 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for sensationalize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sensationalize
exaggerate
Verb
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Whether or not The Bitch of Buchenwald did what is reenacted on the show isn’t relevant, because her activities are placed in the context of a comic book that exaggerates history to make a point — just like Monster does.—
Brian Tallerico,
Vulture,
4 Oct. 2025
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Under these conditions, Democrats and Republicans tend to exaggerate the characteristics of the other party based on common stereotypes.—
Ron Barrett,
The Conversation,
2 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sensationalize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sensationalize. Accessed 13 Oct. 2025.
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