as in exaggerating
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 sensationalizing
In addition to recentering the story, the new show shies away from violence on screen, so as to avoid sensationalizing Gacy.
—
Lex Goldstein, PEOPLE, 13 Nov. 2025
Notoriety trailed Woodhull through her life, but, rather than sensationalizing her scandals, Collinsworth highlights Woodhull’s flair for reinvention, and her drive to set the terms by which she would be remembered.
—The New Yorker, New Yorker, 6 Oct. 2025
Lex Goldstein, PEOPLE, 13 Nov. 2025
Notoriety trailed Woodhull through her life, but, rather than sensationalizing her scandals, Collinsworth highlights Woodhull’s flair for reinvention, and her drive to set the terms by which she would be remembered.
—The New Yorker, New Yorker, 6 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sensationalizing
Verb
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The administration has repeatedly downplayed the benefits of immunization, while exaggerating the importance of nutritional supplementation for combatting measles.—
Katherine J. Wu,
The Atlantic,
27 Jan. 2026
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Allegations that are now spreading online could be misinterpreting records or exaggerating minor issues — or could be exposing actual fraudulent activity.—
Jude Joffe-Block,
NPR,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Prosecutor denies Trump claim Trump has repeatedly said Iran halted the execution of 800 people detained in the protests, without elaborating on the source of the claim.—
Jon Gambrell,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Jan. 2026
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The three victims, aged 16, 20 and 23, all died from gunshot wounds, authorities said, without elaborating.—
Stephen Sorace,
FOXNews.com,
11 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Still, experts warn that there is such a thing as overemphasizing the data and getting bogged down by less-than-optimal scores.—
Alexa Mikhail,
Flow Space,
1 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sensationalizing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sensationalizing. Accessed 12 Feb. 2026.
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