Sensationalize/senˈseɪʃənəlaɪz/ Definition 1 of 1Pro Tip 1/3Media Use Often used to describe how news or events are portrayed with undue excitement. The newspaper sensationalized the minor incident into a major crisis. Pro Tip 2/3Negative Connotation Implies a lack of truthfulness or distortion of facts. Politicians sometimes sensationalize issues to win votes. Pro Tip 3/3Emotional Impact Aims to provoke a strong emotional response from the audience. The documentary sensationalized the plight of the animals.