Molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) is a typical layered transition-metal dichalcogenide material, which has aroused a great deal of interest in the past few years. Recently, more and more attention has been focused on the synthesis and applications of MoS2-based nanocomposites. In this review, we aimed to present a wider view of the synthesis of various MoS2-based nanocomposites for sensor and biosensor applications. We highlighted the potential methods like self-assembly, hydrothermal reaction, chemical vapour deposition, electrospinning, as well as microwave and laser beam treatments for the successful preparation of MoS2-based nanocomposites. On the other hand, three representative types of detection devices fabricated by the MoS2-based nanocomposites, field-effect transistor, optical, and electrochemical sensors, were introduced in detail and discussed fully. The relationships between the sensing performances and the special nanostructures within the MoS2-based nanocomposites were presented and discussed.