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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Christopher Carnahan, a Los Angeles police officer who was accused of skydiving and working out while also collecting disability benefits by exaggerating an on-duty work injury, was charged with two counts of felony insurance fraud, prosecutors said.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
27 Feb. 2026
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Historically, some doctors have dismissed these differences as women exaggerating their pain or being unable to tolerate the same discomfort as men.—
Aria Bendix,
NBC news,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The Saudi Defense Ministry said damage assessment was underway, without elaborating.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
19 Mar. 2026
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The actor also told CBS Mornings about his return to Hollywood, elaborating on what drew him to The Marshall.—
Marina Watts,
Entertainment Weekly,
11 Mar. 2026
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 22 Mar. 2026.
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