sensationalism

[ sen-sey-shuh-nl-iz-uhm ]

noun

1. subject matter, language, or style producing or designed to produce startling or thrilling impressions or to excite and please vulgar taste.
2. the use of or interest in this subject matter, language, or style:

   The cheap tabloids relied on sensationalism to increase their circulation.

3. Philosophy.
   1. the doctrine that the good is to be judged only by the gratification of the senses.
   2. the doctrine that all ideas are derived from and are essentially reducible to sensations.
4. Psychology. sensationism.

sensationalism

/ sɛnˈseɪʃənəˌlɪzəm /

noun

1. the use of sensational language, etc, to arouse an intense emotional response
2. such sensational matter itself
3. Also calledsensualism philosophy
   1. the doctrine that knowledge cannot go beyond the analysis of experience
   2. ethics the doctrine that the ability to gratify the senses is the only criterion of goodness
4. psychol the theory that all experience and mental life may be explained in terms of sensations and remembered images
5. aesthetics the theory of the beauty of sensuality in the arts

Derived Forms

• senˌsationalˈistic, adjective
• senˈsationalist, nounadjective

Other Words From

• sen·sation·al·ist noun adjective
• sen·sation·al·istic adjective
• nonsen·sation·al·istic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of sensationalism¹

First recorded in 1840–50; sensational + -ism

Example Sentences

The Times quotes one man who intends to vote for Trump who said, “’I think the media blows stuff out of proportion for sensationalism.’”

From Salon

For decades, the American news media with its endless 24/7 coverage, sensationalism, traffic-chasing, and an “if it bleeds it leads” ethos has contributed to this problem instead of intervening against it.

From Salon

In an hourlong chat, they discussed girlhood, violence and making a true-crime series that sidesteps sensationalism.

From New York Times

He added: "Their story, you may recall, was a sensation and was reported sensationally, but you do not deal in sensationalism."

From BBC

He deflected a question about any possible deathbed confession by Simpson as an attempt to steer “from somber to the sensationalism and the amusement.”

From Seattle Times