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
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
However, sensationalized headlines do little to advance meaningful reform.
—Dp Opinion, Denver Post, 19 Oct. 2025
Watkins later retracted her statements after she was sensationalized by the media.
—Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 6 Oct. 2025
However, there are and always will be those who choose to believe the tabloids’ sensationalized version of events.
—Sam Reed, Glamour, 1 Oct. 2025
The king of Haiti’s tragic death is one of the most dramatized, and sensationalized, episodes in Haitian history.
—Marlene L. Daut
september 22, Literary Hub, 22 Sep. 2025
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
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
However, sensationalized headlines do little to advance meaningful reform.
—Dp Opinion, Denver Post, 19 Oct. 2025
Watkins later retracted her statements after she was sensationalized by the media.
—Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 6 Oct. 2025
However, there are and always will be those who choose to believe the tabloids’ sensationalized version of events.
—Sam Reed, Glamour, 1 Oct. 2025
The king of Haiti’s tragic death is one of the most dramatized, and sensationalized, episodes in Haitian history.
—Marlene L. Daut
september 22, Literary Hub, 22 Sep. 2025
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sensationalized
Verb
-
In some cases, China has exaggerated its actual contributions, sowing mistrust about its agenda.—
Zongyuan Zoe Liu,
Foreign Affairs,
16 Dec. 2025
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On top of that, the lineup projects to be too left-handed at the moment, which would be further exaggerated by adding Bellinger back into the fold.—
Jackson Roberts,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Dec. 2025
Verb
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The two studio leaders who spoke during an Xbox livestream event elaborated that its representation of Japan mixes modern and traditional, rural and urban.—
Caleb Jacobs,
The Drive,
22 Jan. 2026
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In a new interview with BBC Two, Collins elaborated on the chronic ailments that previously prompted him to retire from performing following Genesis’ final tour in 2022.—
Steven J. Horowitz,
Variety,
21 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sensationalized.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sensationalized. Accessed 31 Jan. 2026.
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