sensational
adjective
sen·sa·tion·al
sen-ˈsā-shnəl 
-shə-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
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
But California gets several sensational shout-outs, starting with the coastal town of SLO — San Luis Obispo — at No. 3, thanks to its balmy temperatures, small town vibe and proximity to surfer-friendly beaches, rolling vineyards and winery tasting rooms.
—
Jackie Burrell, The Mercury News, 22 Apr. 2024
We are thrown in the middle of what is clearly a recurring argument between the Keys stand-in, 17-year-old Ali (the sensational Maleah Joi Moon), and her mother, Jersey (Shoshana Bean, in top form).
—Elisabeth Vincentelli, New York Times, 21 Apr. 2024
His avant-garde vocabulary of straight lines and grids may have seemed sensational then, but it is beloved now for its harmonious vitality.
—Paula Deitz, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Apr. 2024
An anthology of new works that reflect events, opinions and sentiments from a fleeting and fatalistic moment in time — one that was both sensational and sorrowful in equal measure.
—USA TODAY, 19 Apr. 2024
The museum described the recent finds as sensational and extraordinary because of the rarity of finding two nearly complete elephant skeletons in one place.
—Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 17 Apr. 2024
After a sensational, 11-month trial, Knox and Sollecito were convicted in Kercher's murder.
—Kc Baker, Peoplemag, 16 Apr. 2024
On the most sobering, sensational of Fridays, one man’s arrest became another man’s freedom, a simple ballgame serving as a striking example of brilliance unburdened.
—Bill Plaschke, Los Angeles Times, 13 Apr. 2024
After a sensational first eight holes, Lamprecht bogeyed 9, 10 and 11 and then suffered a costly triple-bogey on the par-5 15th, when his 120-yard approach shot caught the downslope and spun back into the water.
—Jordan Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 12 Apr. 2024
Jackie Burrell, The Mercury News, 22 Apr. 2024
We are thrown in the middle of what is clearly a recurring argument between the Keys stand-in, 17-year-old Ali (the sensational Maleah Joi Moon), and her mother, Jersey (Shoshana Bean, in top form).
—Elisabeth Vincentelli, New York Times, 21 Apr. 2024
His avant-garde vocabulary of straight lines and grids may have seemed sensational then, but it is beloved now for its harmonious vitality.
—Paula Deitz, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Apr. 2024
An anthology of new works that reflect events, opinions and sentiments from a fleeting and fatalistic moment in time — one that was both sensational and sorrowful in equal measure.
—USA TODAY, 19 Apr. 2024
The museum described the recent finds as sensational and extraordinary because of the rarity of finding two nearly complete elephant skeletons in one place.
—Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 17 Apr. 2024
After a sensational, 11-month trial, Knox and Sollecito were convicted in Kercher's murder.
—Kc Baker, Peoplemag, 16 Apr. 2024
On the most sobering, sensational of Fridays, one man’s arrest became another man’s freedom, a simple ballgame serving as a striking example of brilliance unburdened.
—Bill Plaschke, Los Angeles Times, 13 Apr. 2024
After a sensational first eight holes, Lamprecht bogeyed 9, 10 and 11 and then suffered a costly triple-bogey on the par-5 15th, when his 120-yard approach shot caught the downslope and spun back into the water.
—Jordan Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 12 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sensational.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near sensational
Cite this Entry
“Sensational.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sensational. Accessed 27 Apr. 2024.
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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