sensationalism

Noun
Synonyms: luridnesssensualismempiricismempiricist philosophy

WordNet 3.0

Noun (4)

  1. subject matter that is calculated to excite and please vulgar tastes
  2. the journalistic use of subject matter that appeals to vulgar tastes“the tabloids relied on sensationalism to maintain their circulation”Synonyms: luridness
  3. (philosophy) the ethical doctrine that feeling is the only criterion for what is goodSynonyms: sensualism
  4. (philosophy) the doctrine that knowledge derives from experienceSynonyms: empiricismempiricist philosophy
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Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

Sensationalism \Sen*sa"tion*al*ism\, n.

1.(Metaph.) The doctrine held by Condillac, and by some ascribed to Locke, that our ideas originate solely in sensation, and consist of sensations transformed; sensualism; -- opposed to intuitionalism, and rationalism. [1913 Webster]

2.The practice or methods of sensational writing or speaking; as, the sensationalism of a novel. [1913 Webster]

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