sensational
adjective
sen·sa·tion·al
sen-ˈsā-sh(ə-)nəl 
2
: arousing or tending to arouse (as by lurid details) a quick, intense, and usually superficial interest, curiosity, or emotional reaction
sensational tabloid news
3
: exceedingly or unexpectedly excellent or great
a sensational talent
sensationally
adverb
Examples of sensational in a Sentence
She looked sensational in her new dress.
the sensational news story caused a stir, but after a few days everyone forgot about it
Recent Examples on the Web
On Copacabana Beach, Lady Gaga put on a sensational show on par with the one Madonna did on the same beach in May 2024.
—
Mario Manca, Glamour, 4 May 2025
Edwards essentially stole a contest in which the Wolves were largely outplayed with some sensational shot-making at the start of the fourth quarter to get the Wolves back into the game, then with prolific playmaking at the end to win it.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 1 May 2025
Antetokounmpo was sensational, recording a triple-double with 30 points, 20 rebounds, and 13 assists.
—Brian Sampson, Forbes.com, 30 Apr. 2025
In 2010, in a series of cover stories for Tehelka, Ayyub tied Modi’s closest adviser, Amit Shah, to a sensational crime.
—Andrew Marantz, New Yorker, 28 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sensational
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Mario Manca, Glamour, 4 May 2025
Edwards essentially stole a contest in which the Wolves were largely outplayed with some sensational shot-making at the start of the fourth quarter to get the Wolves back into the game, then with prolific playmaking at the end to win it.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 1 May 2025
Antetokounmpo was sensational, recording a triple-double with 30 points, 20 rebounds, and 13 assists.
—Brian Sampson, Forbes.com, 30 Apr. 2025
In 2010, in a series of cover stories for Tehelka, Ayyub tied Modi’s closest adviser, Amit Shah, to a sensational crime.
—Andrew Marantz, New Yorker, 28 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sensational
Cite this Entry
“Sensational.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sensational. Accessed 9 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
sensational
adjective
sen·sa·tion·al
sen-ˈsā-shnəl
-shən-ᵊl,
sən-
1
: of or relating to sensation or the senses
2
: arousing a strong and usually shallow interest or emotional reaction
sensational news
3
: exceedingly or unexpectedly excellent or great
a sensational diving catch
sensationally
adverb
-ē
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