sensational

adjective

sen·​sa·​tion·​al sen-ˈsā-sh(ə-)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

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

Less sensational, but devastating on an individual level, is the prospect of AI replacing us in our jobs – a prospect leaving most people obsolete and with no future. —Billy J. Stratton, The Conversation, 7 Apr. 2025

Max Verstappen followed up his sensational qualifying performance with victory at the Japanese Grand Prix to close the gap on championship leader Lando Norris to one point. —Luke Smith, New York Times, 6 Apr. 2025

The properly pale filler is light and tart; the crust is a sensational blend of graham crackers and coconut. —Jeff Kleinman, Miami Herald, 1 Apr. 2025

Brissett has a 53-24 career TD-interception ratio, and that’s sensational for a backup quarterback. —Steve Silverman, Forbes.com, 29 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1807, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for sensational

• formational
• foundational
• gestational
• gradational
• locational
• mutational
• nonrational
• notational
• relational
• rotational
• translational
• vibrational

Kids 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

-ē

adverb