Definition of sensationalnext
1
as in juicy
arousing a strong and usually superficial interest or emotional reaction the sensational news story caused a stir, but after a few days everyone forgot about it

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
as in sensory
of or relating to physical sensation or the senses sensational hallucinations

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

3

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of sensational Why female superheroes in particular, after their sensational starts? Jake Coyle, Chicago Tribune, 29 June 2026 Why female superheroes in particular, after their sensational starts? Jake Coyle, Fortune, 28 June 2026 The small island nation made its World Cup debut this year with a sensational game against Spain, one of the countries considered a favorite to win the tournament. Doha Madani, NBC news, 26 June 2026 Those experiences taught me that the reality of Ebola is simultaneously less sensational and far more challenging than most people imagine. Krutika Kuppalli, STAT, 26 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for sensational
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sensational
Adjective
  • An adventure with worms, good fat juicy old-time earthworms, moist and sexy and leaving their mucus on you.
    Padgett Powell, Harpers Magazine, 30 June 2026
  • And last but not least, this fun and juicy rom-com is another delightful offering from Lily Chu — an audio darling whose Audible editions are narrated by Hamilton alum Philippa Soo.
    Nissa Renzo, PEOPLE, 30 June 2026
Adjective
  • For example, a moisturizer is not going to treat depression or meaningfully improve cognition in a clinical sense, but there is real value in recognizing the connection between sensory experience and the nervous system.
    Pooja Mistry, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026
  • Hearing the volume, seeing the lights and getting a sense of crowd energy in advance helps avoid sensory shock in the moment.
    Lauren Schuster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 June 2026
Adjective
  • While San Francisco’s bullpen is struggling, Rogers is in the midst of another excellent season after signing a three-year, $37 million deal to join the defending American League champions.
    Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 7 July 2026
  • Guests can borrow, for no charge, one of four Mate e-bikes for spins around the park or beyond, say to Tanimachi nearby for local neighborhood vibes, including charming izakayas, gyoza shops, and excellent, one-woman restaurants such as Tachiaoi.
    Kathryn Romeyn, Travel + Leisure, 7 July 2026
Adjective
  • The coast is dotted with colorful fishing villages, while the region’s interior is made up of rolling green hills and gently sloped vineyards.
    Tia Lovisa Moreira, Travel + Leisure, 2 July 2026
  • Fast-food chain Sonic, for instance, has a timely deal and colorful commemorative cups.
    Mike Snider, USA Today, 2 July 2026
Adjective
  • The Grammy Award-winning artist wore a sensual red dress from the designer’s spring 2026 ready-to-wear collection.
    Julia Teti, Footwear News, 29 June 2026
  • Warm and sensual, but with a somewhat fresh, floral drydown.
    Gina Vaynshteyn, StyleCaster, 24 June 2026
Adjective
  • The animals, the cool weather and the wonderful people of this region made for a memorable trip.
    Sheah Rarback, Miami Herald, 2 July 2026
  • Bat boxes are a wonderful addition to your yard for attracting bats and giving them a safe place to live.
    The Spruce, The Spruce, 2 July 2026
Adjective
  • There was more screaming and yelling for people who wanted to get a ventilator available in their home.
    Chris Lee, Vulture, 16 Feb. 2021
Adjective
  • Nicolas Winding Refn’s audacious return to feature filmmaking is a gorgeous, mysterious act of cinema, sensorial and transgressive, that demands to be experienced on its own terms.
    Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 2 July 2026
  • At the Canadian Pavilion, Abbas Akhavan created a sensorial environment centered on fragility, displacement, breath, and survival.
    Thomas Rom, ARTnews.com, 8 June 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sensational.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sensational. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on sensational

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster