Vocabulary in context
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Sensational
Causing great public interest or excitement; remarkably impressive or dramatic, often intended to shock or entertain.
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Imagine This
Imagine a flashy newspaper headline in enormous red letters about a celebrity scandal, with bright photos and loud graphics designed to grab attention and stir strong emotions.
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Sounds Like
sen-SEY-shuh-nl
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Looks Like
Looks like sensation (root sense) or sens- words; visually similar to sensation and sensibility.
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Remember This
Sensational describes presentation that aims to provoke strong feelings; the noun form is sensationalism and the verb form is sensationalize.
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Other Forms
sensationalismnoun
sensationalizeverb
sensationalisticadjective
sensationallyadverb
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Connect With
dramatic, exciting, shocking, provocative, lurid
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Note
Use carefully: sensational can imply exaggeration or bias in reporting. Do not confuse with sensory (relating to the senses) or sensitive (easily affected). Not every impressive event is sensational.
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Study Deeper
Examples
- The tabloid published sensational headlines about the celebrity scandal.
- Her sensational performance captivated the audience and earned widespread praise.
Synonyms
dramaticspectacularshockingprovocativeremarkable
Antonyms
unremarkablemundaneboring
Etymology
From sensation (Latin sensatio, from sentire 'to feel') + the suffix -al; related to arousing the senses or feelings.
Mnemonic
Mnemonic: SENSE-sational — it hits your senses and makes you say, wow, that is sensational.
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adjectiveForming the essential base or core; central, foundational, and necessary for something's existence or operation.
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verbTo make someone or something weaker or less able to function; to sap strength or vitality.
Counterproductive
adjectiveHaving the opposite of the desired effect; actions or policies that hinder rather than help progress.
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adjectiveHappening by chance or without deliberate planning; not intended. In music, it is also a noun for a symbol that temporarily alters a pitch.
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adjectiveSharp or biting in tone or taste; caustic or mordant in manner.
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adjectiveReady to agree or approve without protest; compliant.
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adjectiveRigid in opinion or purpose; not willing to change one's mind or position.
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adjectiveHaving or showing a high level of skill or proficiency; very capable.
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