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
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
As the Menendez murder trial was one of the most sensational of its time, there is intense public interest.
—
Nina Turner, Newsweek, 29 Oct. 2024
Brittany, who is expecting the pair's third baby, looked sensational in a photo reposted by the couple of them on the red carpet at the gala on their Instagram Stories.
—Escher Walcott, People.com, 29 Oct. 2024
Wes Craven’s The Last House on the Left (1972) depicted a teenager’s rape and murder, and the destruction of the nuclear family, echoing the more sensational, less sanitized newscasts that became the norm.
—Richard Newby, The Hollywood Reporter, 23 Oct. 2024
Two things stick out: Herbert was sensational regardless of the spotty pass protection and a running game which was somewhere other than in Arizona.
—Jay Paris, Forbes, 22 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for sensational 
Nina Turner, Newsweek, 29 Oct. 2024
Brittany, who is expecting the pair's third baby, looked sensational in a photo reposted by the couple of them on the red carpet at the gala on their Instagram Stories.
—Escher Walcott, People.com, 29 Oct. 2024
Wes Craven’s The Last House on the Left (1972) depicted a teenager’s rape and murder, and the destruction of the nuclear family, echoing the more sensational, less sanitized newscasts that became the norm.
—Richard Newby, The Hollywood Reporter, 23 Oct. 2024
Two things stick out: Herbert was sensational regardless of the spotty pass protection and a running game which was somewhere other than in Arizona.
—Jay Paris, Forbes, 22 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for sensational
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sensational.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near sensational
Cite this Entry
“Sensational.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sensational. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.
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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