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Definition of sensationalistic

sensationalistic

/sɛnˌseɪ.ʃən.əlˈɪs.tɪk/
sen · sa · tion · al · is · tic
Adverb:sensationalistically
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sensationalistic Lexical Profile

• adjective

1

Presenting information in a lurid, exaggerated, or overly dramatic way intended to provoke public excitement or shock at the expense of accuracy.

Example

"The documentary avoided sensationalistic claims and focused instead on verified historical records."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for sensationalistic
Antonyms
View all antonyms for sensationalistic

Word Nuance & Usage

While "sensational" often serves as a positive term meaning extraordinary or wonderful, "sensationalistic" is strictly pejorative and refers specifically to lurid or exaggerated reporting designed to provoke shock.

• Rhymes for sensationalistic

• Nearby Words

sensational
sensationalism
sensationalist
sensationalistic
sensationalize
sensationally
sense

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Sensationalistic. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/sensationalistic
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