sensationalism
sen-SAY-shuh-nuh-liz-um
/sɛnˈseɪ.ʃə.nə.lɪz.əm/
The use of shocking or exaggerated language, stories, or imagery at the expense of accuracy in order to provoke public excitement.
Implies deliberate bias, distortion, and emotional exploitation for clicks, ratings, or sales.
The story behind the word. Derived from Latin 'sensus' (feeling). In 19th-century media critique, the term was applied to writing intended purely to stimulate raw physical or emotional sensations in readers rather than appeal to their rational faculties.
Word relationships
- melodrama: Melodrama refers to exaggerated theatrical drama, whereas sensationalism specifically applies to news presentation.
- understatement: Presenting facts with deliberate restraint and moderation.
Commonly confused with
- sensualism: Sensualism relates to physical sensory pleasures, whereas sensationalism relates to sensational media headlines.
Word family
- sensational (adjective): Causing intense excitement or shock.
- sensationalist (noun): A person or publication practicing sensationalism.
- sensationalize (verb): To present news in an exaggerated way.
Collocations
- media sensationalism
- resort to sensationalism
- sensationalism over substance
Example sentences
- "Media critics accused the network of resorting to pure sensationalism to boost viewership during election season." Media criticism
Memory hook
SENSATIONALISM is aiming for instant emotion SENSATIONS, not honest information. Shock over substance.
When not to use
Do not use to describe genuine breaking news of naturally dramatic events described neutrally.
Fun facts
- In 19th-century philosophy, 'sensationalism' was a theory that all knowledge originates from sensory experience before it took on its modern media meaning.
Related words
Explore more words
muckraking, scandalous, dramatic, tabloid, outlandish, editorialize
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