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
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
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
See All Example Sentences for sensationalize
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
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
See All Example Sentences for sensationalize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sensationalize
exaggerate
Verb
-
The young family were the only people on the block who elected to ride out the storm, believing the stark warnings were being exaggerated.—
Curtis Bunn,
NBC news,
27 Aug. 2025
-
The fact that the company exaggerates the job numbers, as well as the true number of states where the plane produces a significant number of jobs does not alter the fact that economic arguments carry a lot of weight in Congressional decisions on weapons procurement.—
William Hartung,
Forbes.com,
26 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sensationalize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sensationalize. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share