as in exaggerated
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 sensationalized
While local authorities say these takeovers are a problem, legal experts say they're being sensationalized in media reports and online.
—
Saleen Martin,
USA Today,
2 June 2026
One of the things that really compelled me about this season was Sam has not sensationalized the important issues of drug use.
—
Ethan Shanfeld,
Variety,
1 June 2026
The violence is not sensationalized, where nothing comes of it.
—
ArsTechnica,
13 May 2026
Sauceda said that while there is some truth to the claim in the video, it’s sensationalized and more likely just set up in a way to stop you from scrolling and scare you.
—
Eleesha Lockett,
Verywell Health,
2 Apr. 2026
Bear attacks are largely over reported, and often sensationalized, in the media, escalating our fear of bears.
—
Literary Hub,
3 Mar. 2026
There is an undeniable oversupply of negative, fear-inducing and even sensationalized content.
—
Heather V. MacArthur,
Forbes.com,
18 Jan. 2026
Aside from Tapia, the most high-profile figure named in the investigation, there are other protagonists whose entanglement has sensationalized the story.
—
Felipe Cardenas,
New York Times,
13 Jan. 2026
Then there’s anticipating potential backlash for anything exploitative or sensationalized.
—
Derek Lawrence,
Vulture,
24 Oct. 2025
Saleen Martin,
USA Today,
2 June 2026
One of the things that really compelled me about this season was Sam has not sensationalized the important issues of drug use.
—
Ethan Shanfeld,
Variety,
1 June 2026
The violence is not sensationalized, where nothing comes of it.
—
ArsTechnica,
13 May 2026
Sauceda said that while there is some truth to the claim in the video, it’s sensationalized and more likely just set up in a way to stop you from scrolling and scare you.
—
Eleesha Lockett,
Verywell Health,
2 Apr. 2026
Bear attacks are largely over reported, and often sensationalized, in the media, escalating our fear of bears.
—
Literary Hub,
3 Mar. 2026
There is an undeniable oversupply of negative, fear-inducing and even sensationalized content.
—
Heather V. MacArthur,
Forbes.com,
18 Jan. 2026
Aside from Tapia, the most high-profile figure named in the investigation, there are other protagonists whose entanglement has sensationalized the story.
—
Felipe Cardenas,
New York Times,
13 Jan. 2026
Then there’s anticipating potential backlash for anything exploitative or sensationalized.
—
Derek Lawrence,
Vulture,
24 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sensationalized
Verb
-
The discrepancy was spotted by Reuters, which claims that data Tesla gave to authorities in Sweden and the Netherlands grossly exaggerated the safety record of FSD in the United States.
-
Replay shows the defender never made meaningful contact and the offensive player overly-exaggerated the contact (flopped).
Verb
-
Lee separately elaborated on the strategic rationale in a statement tied to the announcement.
-
On The View Tuesday, Vance elaborated on that mea culpa.
Cite this Entry
“Sensationalized.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sensationalized. Accessed 28 Jun. 2026.
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