sensationalising
Making news lurid
Sensationalising is the British spelling of sensationalizing, meaning to present information in an exaggerated or lurid way designed to provoke strong emotional reactions rather than inform.
News outlets are often accused of sensationalising stories to attract viewers or readers.
The tabloids were sensationalising what was really a minor incident.
The practice emphasizes shock value over accuracy or nuance.
Sensationalist newspaper format
- headlineNews article title
- clickbaitSensationalized content for traffic
- yellow journalismReporting prioritizing shock value
- scandalDisgraceful public affair
gossip · exposé · scoop · paparazzi · infotainment · rumormongering · newsmaker · soundbite
Add decorative elements
- overstateRepresent as greater
- inflateFill with gas
- amplifyIncrease in strength
- hyperbolizeTo exaggerate extravagantly
dramatize · overemphasize · magnify · heighten · distort · misrepresent · overdraw · overplay
Media-driven awareness
- buzzContinuous low drone
- viralSpreading quickly online
- trendingCurrently gaining widespread attention
- frenzyViolent mental agitation
bandwagon · sensationalism · propaganda · hysteria · fearmongering · alarmism · panic · scaremongering
Exaggeratedly emotional in expression
- overwroughtExcessively emotional or elaborate
- histrionicExaggeratedly emotional in behavior
- flamboyantStrikingly bold in style
- showyExcessively eye-catching
hammy · stagy · operatic · grandiose · bombastic · lurid · garish · spectacular
tabloid
Sensationalist newspaper format
- headlineNews article title
- clickbaitSensationalized content for traffic
- yellow journalismReporting prioritizing shock value
scandal · gossip · exposé · scoop · paparazzi · infotainment · rumormongering · newsmaker · soundbite · ratings
embellish
Add decorative elements
hyperbolize · dramatize · overemphasize · magnify · heighten · distort · misrepresent · overdraw · overplay · aggrandize
publicity
Media-driven awareness
frenzy · bandwagon · sensationalism · propaganda · hysteria · fearmongering · alarmism · panic · scaremongering · breathless
melodramatic
Exaggeratedly emotional in expression
- overwroughtExcessively emotional or elaborate
- histrionicExaggeratedly emotional in behavior
- flamboyantStrikingly bold in style
showy · hammy · stagy · operatic · grandiose · bombastic · lurid · garish · spectacular · attention-grabbing
appall
Shock with disgust
- horrifyCause intense revulsion
- scandaliseCause moral outrage
- alarmUrgent warning signal
disturb · outrage · provoke · inflame · titillate · unsettle · dismay · distress · agitate · rile
sensationalisingbalanced reporting
Journalism showing multiple viewpoints
responsible journalism · informing · journalistic integrity · fair reporting · ethical journalism
sensationalisingunderstating
Representing as less significant
downplaying · minimising · soft-pedalling · toning down · playing down
sensitive, sensation, sensible, senseless, insensitive, sensational, sensory, sensibly, sensibility