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Synonyms

sensational

American  
[sen-sey-shuh-nl] / sɛnˈseɪ ʃə nl /

adjective

  1. producing or designed to produce a startling effect, strong reaction, intense interest, etc., especially by exaggerated, superficial, or lurid elements.

    a sensational novel.
    Synonyms:
    exciting
    Antonyms:
    dull, prosaic

  2. extraordinarily good; conspicuously excellent; phenomenal.

    a sensational quarterback.

  3. of or relating to the senses or sensation.

sensational British  
/ sɛnˈseɪʃənəl /

adjective

  1. causing or intended to cause intense feelings, esp of curiosity, horror, etc

    sensational disclosures in the press

  2. informal extremely good

    a sensational skater

  3. of or relating to the faculty of sensation

  4. philosophy of or relating to sensationalism

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • pseudosensational adjective
  • sensationally adverb
  • unsensational adjective
  • unsensationally adverb

Etymology

Origin of sensational

First recorded in 1830–40; sensation + -al 1

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Salt, who comes into the IPL after a quiet T20 World Cup, did take a sensational diving catch on the deep cover boundary in Sunrisers' 201-9.

From BBC • Mar. 28, 2026

On Thursday, Pages had another one of his sensational snags, taking an angle that would’ve made a defensive back proud in pursuit of Geraldo Perdomo’s fly ball to start the seventh.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 27, 2026

It built its current home on the Lower East Side in 2007 and it is as sensational today as when it opened.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 20, 2026

"I think it's been incredible the last couple months. It's been sensational," Arteta said.

From BBC • Mar. 14, 2026

For two days, in a congressional hearing room packed with spectators and news reporters, as flashbulbs went off and news cameras whirred, Elizabeth Bentley revealed the sensational details of her spying for the Soviet Union.

From "Spies: The Secret Showdown Between America and Russia" by Marc Favreau

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.