sensationalism
subject matter, language, or style producing or designed to produce startling or thrilling impressions or to excite and please vulgar taste.
the use of or interest in this subject matter, language, or style: The cheap tabloids relied on sensationalism to increase their circulation.
Philosophy.
the doctrine that the good is to be judged only by the gratification of the senses.
the doctrine that all ideas are derived from and are essentially reducible to sensations.
Psychology. sensationism.
Origin of sensationalism
1Other words from sensationalism
- sen·sa·tion·al·ist, noun, adjective
- sen·sa·tion·al·is·tic, adjective
- non·sen·sa·tion·al·is·tic, adjective
Words Nearby sensationalism
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use sensationalism in a sentence
One can only hope when reporting on this the media will shy away from sensationalism, and move forward to real reporting and doing the research required to back it up.
By resisting sensationalism, Dihle comes across as a convincing authority on everything from terrifying bear maulings to conservation legislation to trekking through bear country.
The element of sensationalism isn’t lost on Forden, who began writing about the Gucci family’s drama as the chief business correspondent for WWD, later drawing on her years of reporting to write her book.
In recent years, California has become the national shorthand for sensationalism.
These group chats often just end up being echo chambers for spreading sensationalism, conspiracy theories, and unfortunately lots of right-wing rhetoric.
The history of journalism is filled with hoaxes, sensationalism, and widespread misconceptions.
I Blame People Who Blame the Media: Robert McCulloch’s Tone-Deaf Speech | Arthur Chu | November 25, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTOne of his kinder letters of recommendation warned that his scholarship was “open to the charge of sensationalism.”
Wonder Woman’s Creation Story Is Wilder Than You Could Ever Imagine | Tom Arnold-Forster | November 3, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTBoth presented themselves as victims of media sensationalism.
She said the drug bridge drew the predictable sensationalism from a press throng that took its drug use cues from tamer festivals.
A Report From the Misunderstood Gathering of the Juggalos | Steve Miller | July 28, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTOn television, Brzezinski and others are attempting to be more sensitive to the implications of easy sensationalism.
Should TV News Show Elliot Rodger’s ‘Retribution’ Video? | Lloyd Grove | May 27, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTIt must aim at getting a majority on its side, and this it can only do by sensationalism.
The New Society | Walther RathenauHis men understood him perfectly, and nobody within barrack walls had an idea of the potential sensationalism of his words.
Thirty Years in Australia | Ada CambridgeWhen they are not impostures, a careful investigation will show that they are the effect of pulpit sensationalism.
Morality Without God | M. M. MangasarianThere was no need of exaggeration—of any penny-a-line news, or of any sensationalism.
Stanley's Adventures in the Wilds of Africa | Joel Tyler Headley and William Fletcher JohnsonThis book is fitted to keep it alive without descending to improbability or cheap sensationalism.
What Happened to Inger Johanne | Dikken Zwilgmeyer
British Dictionary definitions for sensationalism
/ (sɛnˈseɪʃənəˌlɪzəm) /
the use of sensational language, etc, to arouse an intense emotional response
such sensational matter itself
Also called: sensualism philosophy
the doctrine that knowledge cannot go beyond the analysis of experience
ethics the doctrine that the ability to gratify the senses is the only criterion of goodness
psychol the theory that all experience and mental life may be explained in terms of sensations and remembered images
aesthetics the theory of the beauty of sensuality in the arts
- Also called (for senses 3, 4): sensationism
Derived forms of sensationalism
- sensationalist, noun, adjective
- sensationalistic, adjective
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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