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
While local authorities say these takeovers are a problem, legal experts say they're being sensationalized in media reports and online.
—
Saleen Martin,
USA Today,
2 June 2026
One of the things that really compelled me about this season was Sam has not sensationalized the important issues of drug use.
—
Ethan Shanfeld,
Variety,
1 June 2026
The violence is not sensationalized, where nothing comes of it.
—
ArsTechnica,
13 May 2026
Sauceda said that while there is some truth to the claim in the video, it’s sensationalized and more likely just set up in a way to stop you from scrolling and scare you.
—
Eleesha Lockett,
Verywell Health,
2 Apr. 2026
Bear attacks are largely over reported, and often sensationalized, in the media, escalating our fear of bears.
—
Literary Hub,
3 Mar. 2026
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
Saleen Martin,
USA Today,
2 June 2026
One of the things that really compelled me about this season was Sam has not sensationalized the important issues of drug use.
—
Ethan Shanfeld,
Variety,
1 June 2026
The violence is not sensationalized, where nothing comes of it.
—
ArsTechnica,
13 May 2026
Sauceda said that while there is some truth to the claim in the video, it’s sensationalized and more likely just set up in a way to stop you from scrolling and scare you.
—
Eleesha Lockett,
Verywell Health,
2 Apr. 2026
Bear attacks are largely over reported, and often sensationalized, in the media, escalating our fear of bears.
—
Literary Hub,
3 Mar. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sensationalized
Verb
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Emma Wager, senior policy analyst for the program on the ACA at KFF, said there is fraud in the ACA marketplace, but the scale described by the federal government may be exaggerated.
-
One Iranian woman, sporting a Pride flag behind her ear, brushed off the culture clash, saying the media exaggerated most of it.
Verb
-
Neither Live Nation nor Richie's reps elaborated on the singer's condition.
-
The senator's office has not elaborated on what he was hospitalized for.
Cite this Entry
“Sensationalized.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sensationalized. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
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