sensational
Americanadjective
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producing or designed to produce a startling effect, strong reaction, intense interest, etc., especially by exaggerated, superficial, or lurid elements.
a sensational novel.
- Synonyms:
- exciting
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extraordinarily good; conspicuously excellent; phenomenal.
a sensational quarterback.
adjective
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causing or intended to cause intense feelings, esp of curiosity, horror, etc
sensational disclosures in the press
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informal extremely good
a sensational skater
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of or relating to the faculty of sensation
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philosophy of or relating to sensationalism
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of sensational
Explanation
Something sensational gets your attention. It's either amazing or a little trashy — like a sensational tabloid story. Sensational things cause quite a sensation — usually a feeling of curiosity or interest. Sensational events and sensational people keep you watching and listening. A guy juggling seven flaming bowling balls is sensational. A super popular new song is sensational. But this word does have some negative connotations, as it often describes news stories that have little merit other than their shock value. "Sexy Starlet Visits Fertility Clinic!" is a trashy kind of sensational headline.
Vocabulary lists containing sensational
Achievement First 8th Grade IA 1 Words
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"What Is News?" and "How to Detect Bias in the News"
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Words to Describe a Movie
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
During Maye’s sensational 2025, he demonstrated two traits that made his game appear mature beyond his years: his ability to avoid turnovers and his touch on deep passes.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 1, 2026
It has also drawn sustained — and occasionally sensational — national attention since Raman’s buzzer-beating entrance in February.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 27, 2026
Wakefield Trinity produced a sensational upset to reach their first ever Super League Grand Final and end Wigan Warriors' hopes of a treble in 2026.
From BBC ● Sep. 26, 2026
Golden Dawn made a sensational entry into parliament in 2012, in a climate of social distress linked to the financial crisis in Greece, loss of trust in institutions and discrediting of the main political parties.
From Barron's ● Sep. 15, 2026
“Turn off Buster Friendly and his Friendly Friends? Turn off Amanda Werner and Oscar Scruggs? It’s time to hear Buster’s big sensational expose, which is finally almost arrived.”
From "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?" by Philip K. Dick
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
