sensationalist
sensationalist Lexical Profile
sensationalist Game Scores & Validity
• adjective
Presenting stories or information in a way that is intended to provoke public interest and excitement, often at the expense of accuracy.
"The newspaper was widely criticized for its sensationalist headlines about the celebrity trial."
• noun
A journalist, writer, or media producer who deliberately uses shocking, exaggerated, or lurid details to attract attention and excite audiences.
"Critics dismissed the television host as a shameless sensationalist who cared more about ratings than truth."
An adherent of the philosophical doctrine that all knowledge is derived exclusively from physical sensations.
"Eighteenth-century sensationalists argued that every complex human idea originates from simple sensory impressions."
Word Nuance & Usage
Do not confuse 'sensationalist' with 'sensational' in modern everyday usage; while 'sensational' often means 'wonderful' or 'impressive,' 'sensationalist' is almost always pejorative, referring to media that exaggerates facts to shock audiences.