SENSATIONALIZE Synonyms: 22 Similar and Opposite Words

sensationalize

verb

as in to exaggerate

disapproving to describe or show something in a way that makes it seem more shocking than it really is Journalists should report the news accurately without trying to sensationalize it.

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Example Sentences

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Recent Examples of sensationalize Gaspar-Oliveri doesn’t sensationalize the boy’s behavior but presents it as a devastating consequence of a stunted childhood. —

Carlos Aguilar, IndieWire, 15 May 2026 That’s an important thing, to not sensationalize it and not glorify it. —

Mark Hughes, Forbes.com, 14 May 2026 The violence is not sensationalized, where nothing comes of it. —

ArsTechnica, 13 May 2026 For Johnson, police have to balance not sensationalizing these teen takeovers, while also not writing them off as kids being kids. —

Eric Levenson, CNN Money, 9 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for sensationalize

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sensationalize

exaggerate

Verb

One sure focus is the rampant grade inflation that exaggerates student achievement and has made graduating high school close to meaningless as an indicator of college preparedness.

— U T Editorial Board, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 July 2026
Jan Paul van Hecke of the Netherlands has been involved in two scraps already, the latest when he was hit while going for a header and crumbled, perhaps exaggerating a tad, after Morocco's Azzedine Ounahi challenged the header, as well.

— Andrew Greif, NBC news, 30 June 2026