as in exaggerated
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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Recent Examples of sensationalized
There is an undeniable oversupply of negative, fear-inducing and even sensationalized content.
—
Heather V. MacArthur, Forbes.com, 18 Jan. 2026
Aside from Tapia, the most high-profile figure named in the investigation, there are other protagonists whose entanglement has sensationalized the story.
—Felipe Cardenas, New York Times, 13 Jan. 2026
Then there’s anticipating potential backlash for anything exploitative or sensationalized.
—Derek Lawrence, Vulture, 24 Oct. 2025
However, sensationalized headlines do little to advance meaningful reform.
—Dp Opinion, Denver Post, 19 Oct. 2025
Watkins later retracted her statements after she was sensationalized by the media.
—Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 6 Oct. 2025
However, there are and always will be those who choose to believe the tabloids’ sensationalized version of events.
—Sam Reed, Glamour, 1 Oct. 2025
The king of Haiti’s tragic death is one of the most dramatized, and sensationalized, episodes in Haitian history.
—Marlene L. Daut
september 22, Literary Hub, 22 Sep. 2025
Studies have found that people who watch a lot of local news, in which crime is often sensationalized, tend to get a distorted view of how dangerous their neighborhood is.
—Zeynep Tufekci, Mercury News, 16 Sep. 2025
Heather V. MacArthur, Forbes.com, 18 Jan. 2026
Aside from Tapia, the most high-profile figure named in the investigation, there are other protagonists whose entanglement has sensationalized the story.
—Felipe Cardenas, New York Times, 13 Jan. 2026
Then there’s anticipating potential backlash for anything exploitative or sensationalized.
—Derek Lawrence, Vulture, 24 Oct. 2025
However, sensationalized headlines do little to advance meaningful reform.
—Dp Opinion, Denver Post, 19 Oct. 2025
Watkins later retracted her statements after she was sensationalized by the media.
—Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 6 Oct. 2025
However, there are and always will be those who choose to believe the tabloids’ sensationalized version of events.
—Sam Reed, Glamour, 1 Oct. 2025
The king of Haiti’s tragic death is one of the most dramatized, and sensationalized, episodes in Haitian history.
—Marlene L. Daut
september 22, Literary Hub, 22 Sep. 2025
Studies have found that people who watch a lot of local news, in which crime is often sensationalized, tend to get a distorted view of how dangerous their neighborhood is.
—Zeynep Tufekci, Mercury News, 16 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sensationalized
Verb
-
Schmidt Automotive Research said Chinese growth was exaggerated by special conditions in the second half of 2025 but will still be formidable.—
Neil Winton,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
-
In some cases, China has exaggerated its actual contributions, sowing mistrust about its agenda.—
Zongyuan Zoe Liu,
Foreign Affairs,
16 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Morton elaborated on the details of the nursery in Inside Kensington Palace, describing how the young princes could peer out the attic windows to watch the royal helicopters take off.—
Bailey Bujnosek,
InStyle,
5 Feb. 2026
-
On Stories, Tatum elaborated that his shoulder had separated.—
Bethy Squires,
Vulture,
5 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sensationalized.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sensationalized. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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