sensational
UK: sɛnˈseɪʃənəl | US: sɛnˈseɪʃənəl
adj. causing great public interest or excitement
adj. exaggerated or lurid in style to provoke strong reactions
adj. relating to physical sensation
The word sensational traces back to the Latin sensus (meaning "feeling" or "perception"), which evolved into sensatio in Late Latin. The suffix -ion was added to form sensation, denoting the act or state of feeling. The adjective-forming suffix -al was later appended to create sensational, originally meaning "pertaining to sensation." Over time, it acquired connotations of intense emotional impact, often used to describe exaggerated or thrilling content designed to provoke strong reactions.
The newspaper published a sensational headline about the scandal.
Her performance was so sensational that the audience gave a standing ovation.
Critics accused the film of relying on sensational violence rather than plot depth.
The scientist made a sensational discovery that changed modern medicine.
He described his travel experiences in a sensational manner to captivate listeners.