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 of sensational
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
Slafkovský had two goals and an assist in a virtuoso performance, and Iowa Wild goaltender Samuel Hlavaj was sensational, stopping 39 of 40 shots, including an 18-save first period that gave his team belief that the improbable was possible.
—
Mark Lazerus, New York Times, 11 Feb. 2026
After their sensational season, the Warriors (12-2-1) have now earned the top seed in Division 1 and will host the Fairmont Prep Huskies (7-6-2).
—Justin Vigil Zuniga, Daily News, 8 Feb. 2026
When a damaging news cycle lingers, Trump is prone to, fully intentionally and knowingly, introducing a new, even more sensational headline of his own making, a distraction that scrambles the media's focus and divides his critics' energy.
—Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Time, 7 Feb. 2026
But these sensational stories paint an incomplete picture of what fraternity offers to young men.
—Anthony V. MacK, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sensational
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Mark Lazerus, New York Times, 11 Feb. 2026
After their sensational season, the Warriors (12-2-1) have now earned the top seed in Division 1 and will host the Fairmont Prep Huskies (7-6-2).
—Justin Vigil Zuniga, Daily News, 8 Feb. 2026
When a damaging news cycle lingers, Trump is prone to, fully intentionally and knowingly, introducing a new, even more sensational headline of his own making, a distraction that scrambles the media's focus and divides his critics' energy.
—Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Time, 7 Feb. 2026
But these sensational stories paint an incomplete picture of what fraternity offers to young men.
—Anthony V. MacK, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sensational
Cite this Entry
“Sensational.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sensational. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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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