sensational
Americanadjective
-
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
-
extraordinarily good; conspicuously excellent; phenomenal.
a sensational quarterback.
adjective
-
causing or intended to cause intense feelings, esp of curiosity, horror, etc
sensational disclosures in the press
-
informal extremely good
a sensational skater
-
of or relating to the faculty of sensation
-
philosophy of or relating to sensationalism
Other Word Forms
- pseudosensational adjective
- sensationally adverb
- unsensational adjective
- unsensationally adverb
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.
Northampton were in sensational attacking form from the off, scoring five tries in the opening half hour as the top two sides in England delivered an amazing first 40 minutes.
From BBC • Apr. 10, 2026
But some of the more popular videos are sensational.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 5, 2026
Salt, who comes into the IPL after a quiet T20 World Cup, did take a sensational diving catch on the deep cover boundary in Sunrisers' 201-9.
From BBC • Mar. 28, 2026
On Thursday, Pages had another one of his sensational snags, taking an angle that would’ve made a defensive back proud in pursuit of Geraldo Perdomo’s fly ball to start the seventh.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 27, 2026
The church’s pastor, the Reverend Jeremiah Wright, was known as a sensational preacher with a passion for social justice and was now officiating at our wedding.
From "Becoming" by Michelle Obama
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.
