What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
sensationalize
Example
The media tends to sensationalize stories to get more clicks and views. [sensationalize: verb]
Example
The article was full of sensationalized claims and exaggerations. [sensationalized: adjective]
dramatize
Example
The movie dramatizes the true story of a famous musician. [dramatizes: verb]
Example
The play was criticized for dramatizing historical events in an inaccurate way. [dramatizing: present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Sensationalize is more commonly used than dramatize in everyday language, especially in the context of news media. Dramatize is more commonly used in the context of entertainment media, such as movies and plays.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between sensationalize and dramatize?
Sensationalize is typically associated with a negative and informal tone, while dramatize can be used in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.
