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.
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
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 sensationalize
In this stage, early adopters have started implementing the technology, and media coverage often sensationalizes its potential.
—
Karl Moore, Forbes.com, 27 May 2025
Without social media, television or telephones of any kind, Willig illustrates how this trial became sensationalized and angry crowds swayed public opinion — the 19th-century version of canceling.
—Oline H. Cogdill, Sun Sentinel, 13 Mar. 2025
Some conservative groups in South Africa have misrepresented facts about farm murders, sensationalizing them by fixating on exceptionally violent cases and promoting the idea that all farm murders are politically and racially motivated.
—Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 14 Feb. 2025
Burnett’s early films have been credited for their honest rendering of Black working-class life in Los Angeles, a milieu rarely shown, or at best sensationalized, by Hollywood.
—Ben Kenigsberg, New York Times, 14 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sensationalize
Karl Moore, Forbes.com, 27 May 2025
Without social media, television or telephones of any kind, Willig illustrates how this trial became sensationalized and angry crowds swayed public opinion — the 19th-century version of canceling.
—Oline H. Cogdill, Sun Sentinel, 13 Mar. 2025
Some conservative groups in South Africa have misrepresented facts about farm murders, sensationalizing them by fixating on exceptionally violent cases and promoting the idea that all farm murders are politically and racially motivated.
—Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 14 Feb. 2025
Burnett’s early films have been credited for their honest rendering of Black working-class life in Los Angeles, a milieu rarely shown, or at best sensationalized, by Hollywood.
—Ben Kenigsberg, New York Times, 14 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sensationalize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sensationalize
exaggerate
Verb
-
This is one of many lawsuits against Tesla that question the safety of the company's driver-assistance systems, and accuse the company of exaggerating their capabilities.—
Joel Rose,
NPR,
14 July 2025
-
Defenders of the current administration highlight economic policies and argue that media narratives exaggerate constitutional threats while underestimating policy achievements in areas like deregulation and fiscal restraint[1][5].—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
4 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sensationalize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sensationalize. Accessed 31 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share