From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishsensationalsen‧sa‧tion‧al /senˈseɪʃənəl/ ●○○ adjective 1 INTERESTINGvery interesting, exciting, and surprising a sensational discovery The show was a sensational success. a sensational 6–0 victory2 SHOCKintended to interest, excite, or shock people – used to show disapproval sensational newspaper stories sensational headlines3 informalGOOD/EXCELLENT very good SYN stunning She looked sensational. —sensationally adverb
Examples from the Corpus
sensational• The media played up the more sensational aspects of the case.• She still looks sensational at 56.• Stanford made a sensational comeback in the second half.• Not all reporting of rape is of sensational cross-examination.• His real obsession was ever with the sensational effects of the titillating text.• It also spurred an outpouring of spurious books and sensational films.• sensational findings• That was sensational for the people of Cleveland.• An even more sensational racial incident in the summer of 1946 was cause for great public and administrative concern.• He was no longer interested in sensational revelations by anonymous informants. 