sensational
adjective
sen·sa·tion·al sen-ˈsā-shnəl 
-shə-nᵊl
1
: of or relating to sensation or the senses
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
- catchpenny
- gee-whiz
- lurid
- screaming
- sensationalist
- sensationalistic
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
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 once word was out, newspapers around the world ran with the sensational story. 
Julie Belcove, Robb Report, 11 Sep. 2022 Thai Cave Rescue is one of several screen projects to tackle the sensational story. Abid Rahman, The Hollywood Reporter, 29 Aug. 2022 The Second Amendment Foundation, a nonprofit gun rights group, has criticized the Gun Violence Archive’s expansive definition of the term as sensational and misleading. Eric Levenson, CNN, 14 Aug. 2022 His sense of horror is really cool but also so sensational and surreal and bizarre. Sadie Dupuis, SPIN, 27 July 2022 The sensational story was chronicled in a 2004 docuseries, also titled The Staircase, by filmmaker Jean-Xavier de Lestrade and editor Sophie Brunet. Justine Browning, EW.com, 10 June 2022 To Fairley, the prediction and its accuracy didn’t matter so much as having a sensational story to publish. Brandy Schillace, WSJ, 29 Apr. 2022 Amanda Knox, the former American college student who was acquitted twice in Italy over the slaying of her roommate, is not happy about the latest Hollywood take on the sensational story that garnered worldwide attention. Nardine Saad, Los Angeles Times, 30 July 2021 Aron Baynes in Australia is going to be sensational for him. Duane Rankin, The Arizona Republic, 4 Sep. 2022 See More
Julie Belcove, Robb Report, 11 Sep. 2022 Thai Cave Rescue is one of several screen projects to tackle the sensational story. Abid Rahman, The Hollywood Reporter, 29 Aug. 2022 The Second Amendment Foundation, a nonprofit gun rights group, has criticized the Gun Violence Archive’s expansive definition of the term as sensational and misleading. Eric Levenson, CNN, 14 Aug. 2022 His sense of horror is really cool but also so sensational and surreal and bizarre. Sadie Dupuis, SPIN, 27 July 2022 The sensational story was chronicled in a 2004 docuseries, also titled The Staircase, by filmmaker Jean-Xavier de Lestrade and editor Sophie Brunet. Justine Browning, EW.com, 10 June 2022 To Fairley, the prediction and its accuracy didn’t matter so much as having a sensational story to publish. Brandy Schillace, WSJ, 29 Apr. 2022 Amanda Knox, the former American college student who was acquitted twice in Italy over the slaying of her roommate, is not happy about the latest Hollywood take on the sensational story that garnered worldwide attention. Nardine Saad, Los Angeles Times, 30 July 2021 Aron Baynes in Australia is going to be sensational for him. Duane Rankin, The Arizona Republic, 4 Sep. 2022 See More Word History
First Known Use
1807, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Kids Definition
sensational
adjective
sen·sa·tion·al sen-ˈsā-shə-nᵊl
1
: causing or meant to cause great interest
a sensational crime
2
: very or unexpectedly excellent
sensational
adjective
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
- juicy
- sensationalistic
- sensationalist
- colorful
- lurid
- screaming
- theatrical
- dramatic
- shocking
- theatric
- catchpenny
- suggestive
- gee-whiz
- melodramatic
- racy
- catchy
- histrionic
- gory
- vulgar
- coarse
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- nonsensational
- innocuous
- inoffensive
- tame
- proper
- restrained
- dignified
- formal
2
as in sensory
of or relating to physical sensation or the senses sensational hallucinations Synonyms & Similar Words
- sensory
- sensual
- sensorial
- sensuous
- sensitive
- receptive
- afferent
- sensate
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- extrasensory
- intuitional
3
as in terrific
of the very best kind this ice cream is sensational Synonyms & Similar Words
- terrific
- excellent
- wonderful
- superb
- fantastic
- beautiful
- fabulous
- great
- lovely
- stellar
- awesome
- marvelous
- prime
- hot
- fine
- marvellous
- classic
- quality
- famous
- heavenly
- splendid
- divine
- exceptional
- superlative
- slick
- cool
- neat
- grand
- superior
- choice
- dynamite
- sterling
- prize
- top
- fab
- brave
- cracking
- immense
- groovy
- peachy
- good
- topping
- prizewinning
- hype
- unsurpassed
- swell
- nifty
- radical
- crackerjack
- noble
- corking
- topflight
- dandy
- capital
- par excellence
- brag
- boffo
- first-rate
- bumper
- primo
- dope
- high-class
- fantabulous
- banner
- keen
- frontline
- first-class
- gangbuster
- gangbusters
- special
- mean
- supernal
- top-notch
- decent
- number one
- righteous
- bang-up
- top-shelf
- too much
- boss
- five-star
- peachy keen
- bully
- top-of-the-line
- better
- gilt-edge
- satisfactory
- bonny
- wizard
- numero uno
- blue-ribbon
- out-of-sight
- gone
- gilt-edged
- tip-top
- adequate
- first-string
- blue-chip
- traditional
- down
- classical
- phat
- four-star
- acceptable
- premium
- fancy
- jim-dandy
- out of this world
- all right
- A-OK
- bonnie
- passable
- tolerable
- A1
- standard
- No. 1
- select
- superfine
- high-grade
- okay
- high-test
- OK
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- terrible
- awful
- atrocious
- pathetic
- vile
- poor
- lousy
- wretched
- execrable
- unsatisfactory
- bad
- rotten
- inferior
- substandard
- mediocre
- low-grade
- middling
- second-rate
- second-class