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Sensationalism

sen-SAY-shuh-nuh-liz-um /ˌsɛnˈseɪʃənəlɪzəm/

nC1GRESAT

neutralnegative

The use of exciting or shocking stories or language at the expense of accuracy, in order to provoke public interest or excitement.

Implies a deliberate choice to prioritize emotional impact and shock value over factual reporting or balanced perspective, often leading to exaggeration or distortion.

The story behind the word. The word 'sensationalism' comes from 'sensational,' which itself derives from the Latin 'sensus,' meaning 'sense, feeling, or perception.' In the mid-19th century, 'sensational' began to describe things that appealed strongly to the senses or emotions, often in a shocking way. The suffix '-ism' was added to denote the practice or doctrine of doing so, particularly in journalism.

Word relationships

melodrama: Exaggerated emotion or dramatic effect, often in entertainment.
exaggeration: Representing something as larger, better, or worse than it really is.
hyperbole: Exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally.

objectivity: The quality of being unbiased and factual.
accuracy: The quality or state of being correct or precise.

Word family

sensational (adj): Presenting information in a way that arouses strong curiosity, interest, or excitement, especially by exaggerating or dwelling on lurid or shocking details.
sensationalize (v): To present information in a way that arouses strong curiosity, interest, or excitement, especially by exaggerating or dwelling on lurid or shocking details.

Collocations

media sensationalism
journalistic sensationalism
pure sensationalism

Example sentences

"Critics accused the news channel of sensationalism, claiming it focused on lurid details rather than objective reporting." Critiquing news coverage.
"The rise of clickbait headlines is a clear example of modern media's embrace of sensationalism." Discussing media trends.
"The tabloid's reputation for sensationalism meant few readers took its dramatic headlines seriously." About a specific publication.

Memory hook

Think of 'SENSATIONS' that are so 'SENSATIONAL' they grab your attention, often through exaggeration. SENSATIONS grab attention

When not to use

Do not use for genuinely important or dramatic news that is reported accurately. It specifically refers to the method of reporting, not the inherent drama of the event.

Fun facts

Yellow journalism, a style of newspaper reporting popular in the late 19th century, is often cited as an early example of widespread sensationalism.
The term is frequently used in media studies to critique journalistic practices that prioritize profit or audience engagement over ethical reporting.