Definition

Adjective: - Characteristic of or resembling sensationalism: Deliberately designed to provoke public interest or excitement, often at the expense of accuracy, through shocking, exaggerated, or lurid content. This style is typical of tabloid journalism.

Usage

This adjective describes content, reporting, or media that uses sensationalism. It is often used critically to imply that information is presented in a manner intended to shock or excite rather than to inform accurately. - It modifies nouns like reporting, coverage, headlines, story, article, press, and media. - It carries a negative connotation, suggesting a lack of seriousness or integrity.

Examples

• The headlines at the grocery store checkout always promise shocking celebrity secrets.
• Critics accused the network of coverage of the trial, focusing on emotion over facts.
• His account of the event was more than truthful.

Advanced Usage

• In Media Criticism: The term is a key concept in media studies and criticism for analyzing journalistic ethics and standards.
• As a Pejorative: It is frequently used as a disapproving label for media deemed irresponsible or manipulative.

Variants and Related Words

• Sensationalism (noun): The use of sensational content or style.
• Sensationalize (verb): To present information in a sensational manner.
• Sensational (adjective): Arousing or intended to arouse strong curiosity, interest, or reaction. (Note: can be neutral or positive, e.g., "a sensational discovery," while is almost always negative.)

Synonyms

• Exploitative
• Lurid
• Melodramatic
• Tabloid (when used as an adjective, e.g., tabloid journalism)
• Yellow (as in )

Idioms and Fixed Phrases

• Yellow press: A term for newspapers that use sensationalistic reporting. (This is a closely related idiom, as referenced in the context.)
• Tabloid journalism: A direct synonym for journalism.

Adjective

1. typical of tabloids
   • sensational journalistic reportage of the scandal
   • yellow press