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REFERENCE

sensational

adj.
US //sɛnˈseɪʃənəɫ// UK //sɛnsˈeɪʃənəl// sen·sa·tion·al
  1. 1 exceptionally good (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    extremely good, impressive, or attractive.

    denoting something of exceptionally high quality or excellence; often used as a superlative in informal or semi-formal contexts.

    Example

    The view from the top of the mountain was absolutely sensational.

    Example

    The young pianist gave a sensational performance that left the audience in stunned silence before they erupted into applause.
  2. 2 shocking or exaggerated (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    trying to get people's attention by using shocking details or exaggerating the truth.

    intended to provoke strong public interest or excitement, often at the expense of accuracy or nuance.

    Example

    The newspaper used a sensational headline to sell more copies.

    Example

    Critics accused the documentary of being overly sensational, arguing that it focused on scandalous rumours rather than the documented facts of the case.
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  1. 3 relating to the senses (adj.)
    C1 Advanced Technical Science

    relating to your physical senses, like touch, sight, or hearing.

    pertaining to physical sensation or the operation of the senses.

    Example

    The experiment measured the sensational response of the skin to different temperatures.

    Example

    The research paper explores the sensational pathways through which the brain processes tactile stimuli in high-pressure environments.
Origin

From sensation + -al.

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