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
Glenelg Country, which got a sensational 33-point performance from senior star Pat Curtin, fell to 20-7.
—
Glenn Graham, Baltimore Sun, 20 Feb. 2025
In one day alone, the actor wore five separate outfits—ranging from a sensational Alexander McQueen shearling coat to a mod Celine skirt suit and a brown leather Loewe trapeze jacket.
—Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 14 Feb. 2025
In this hypothetical scenario, however, the U.S. partner could opt to withhold some or all of the intelligence out of concern that Trump’s national security team might lean on the more sensational information and ignore the rest to justify its maximum pressure policy toward Iran.
—David V. Gioe, Foreign Affairs, 13 Feb. 2025
Authorities almost immediately homed in on the couple as prime suspects in the case, which garnered international interest and spawned sensational news headlines worldwide.
—Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 23 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sensational
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Glenn Graham, Baltimore Sun, 20 Feb. 2025
In one day alone, the actor wore five separate outfits—ranging from a sensational Alexander McQueen shearling coat to a mod Celine skirt suit and a brown leather Loewe trapeze jacket.
—Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 14 Feb. 2025
In this hypothetical scenario, however, the U.S. partner could opt to withhold some or all of the intelligence out of concern that Trump’s national security team might lean on the more sensational information and ignore the rest to justify its maximum pressure policy toward Iran.
—David V. Gioe, Foreign Affairs, 13 Feb. 2025
Authorities almost immediately homed in on the couple as prime suspects in the case, which garnered international interest and spawned sensational news headlines worldwide.
—Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 23 Jan. 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 1 Mar. 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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