adj
Uncommon
sensational
sehn-SAY-shuh-nuhl
Sensational (adj) means Extremely impressive or exciting. Example: “The team put in a sensational performance.”
adj
1
Extremely impressive or exciting.
"The team put in a sensational performance."
"She wore a sensational dress to the awards show."
2
Deliberately exaggerated or shocking, especially in the way news is reported.
"The tabloid was criticized for its sensational headlines."
How to use sensational
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither "amazingly good" or "deliberately shocking/exaggerated," depending on context.
When to use it
The "amazingly good" sense is common in everyday speech; the "exaggerated for shock" sense is common when talking about media and journalism.
Common pairings
sensational news
sensational performance
sensational headline
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more sensational
- Superlative
- most sensational
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The team put in a _____ performance.
Etymology
Formed from sensation and -al.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
unsensational
Related words
Rhymes for sensational
coronal
rational
diagonal
personal
seasonal
national
optional
regional
hormonal
hexagonal
fictional
emotional
See all rhymes for sensational →
Frequently asked questions
What does “sensational” mean?
The word “sensational” means extremely impressive or exciting. In plain terms, either "amazingly good" or "deliberately shocking/exaggerated," depending on context.
How do you pronounce “sensational”?
“Sensational” is pronounced sehn-SAY-shuh-nuhl (/sɛnˈseɪʃənəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “sensational” in a sentence?
Here is “sensational” used in a sentence: “The team put in a sensational performance.”
What part of speech is “sensational”?
“Sensational” is an adjective.
Is “sensational” a common word?
“Sensational” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “sensational” have?
“Sensational” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: extremely impressive or exciting.
