SENSATIONALIZE Synonyms: 22 Similar and Opposite Words

sensationalize

verb

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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Example Sentences

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Recent Examples of sensationalize That’s an important thing, to not sensationalize it and not glorify it. —

Mark Hughes, Forbes.com, 14 May 2026 The violence is not sensationalized, where nothing comes of it. —

ArsTechnica, 13 May 2026 For Johnson, police have to balance not sensationalizing these teen takeovers, while also not writing them off as kids being kids. —

Eric Levenson, CNN Money, 9 May 2026 An exception is when the goal of provocative or controversial material is prosocial rather than selfish—to challenge discrimination and foster productive dialogue on social issues rather than to sensationalize or garner ratings and profit. —

Encyclopedia Britannica, 7 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for sensationalize

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sensationalize

exaggerate

Verb

The companies, meanwhile, say opportunistic lawyers and public adjusters are playing to fears and driving up costs for everyone by exaggerating the risks and damage.

— Jason Henry, Daily News, 31 May 2026
The upsell should accelerate or exaggerate the result, the downsell should preserve the win, the bump should be a no-brainer.

— Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026