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
Synonyms of sensational
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
His downfield accuracy on a handful of throws down the stretch, after an entire season of taking an absolute beating in the pocket, has been sensational.
—
Robert Mays, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2026
One of two daughters born in Paris to Louis and Anne-Marie Bardot, Brigitte, like Monroe, charted her course from successful model (the cover of Elle) to a credible, if not sensational, actress.
—Peter Tonguette, The Washington Examiner, 9 Jan. 2026
Since being selected with the seventh overall pick of the 2018 NFL Draft, Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen has been sensational.
—Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 9 Jan. 2026
And along with that, a couple of really sensational crimes that drew a lot of attention, hate crimes, in the ’80s and ’90s.
—Peter Larsen, Oc Register, 8 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sensational
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Robert Mays, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2026
One of two daughters born in Paris to Louis and Anne-Marie Bardot, Brigitte, like Monroe, charted her course from successful model (the cover of Elle) to a credible, if not sensational, actress.
—Peter Tonguette, The Washington Examiner, 9 Jan. 2026
Since being selected with the seventh overall pick of the 2018 NFL Draft, Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen has been sensational.
—Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 9 Jan. 2026
And along with that, a couple of really sensational crimes that drew a lot of attention, hate crimes, in the ’80s and ’90s.
—Peter Larsen, Oc Register, 8 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sensational
Cite this Entry
“Sensational.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sensational. Accessed 20 Jan. 2026.
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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