sensationalism

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   the use of exaggerated, shocking, or lurid material to attract attention, especially in journalism

   The editor rejected sensationalism and insisted on careful reporting.

2. 2
   noun

   philosophy: the doctrine that knowledge ultimately derives from sensations or sensory experience

   The lecture contrasted sensationalism with rationalist theories of knowledge.

Formed from sensational + -ism. The philosophical sense names doctrines that ground knowledge in sensation; the now-dominant media sense developed from sensational material designed to excite strong curiosity or emotion, often at the expense of accuracy.

Topics