shock value
noun
: usefulness to surprise and usually upset people
He uses offensive language for (its) shock value.
Examples of shock value in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
But former friends have reportedly said Jahn was not overtly political, describing him instead as an online provocateur who said things for shock value.
—
Alia Shoaib, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Sep. 2025
So the records was full of shock value.
—Ed Masley, AZCentral.com, 23 Sep. 2025
But Young never lets the shock value eclipse her musical substance.
—Thania Garcia, Variety, 19 Sep. 2025
The twists vary in actual shock value, but the tension provides enough of a hook to follow this warped love story to its conclusion.
—Proma Khosla, IndieWire, 10 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shock value
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Alia Shoaib, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Sep. 2025
So the records was full of shock value.
—Ed Masley, AZCentral.com, 23 Sep. 2025
But Young never lets the shock value eclipse her musical substance.
—Thania Garcia, Variety, 19 Sep. 2025
The twists vary in actual shock value, but the tension provides enough of a hook to follow this warped love story to its conclusion.
—Proma Khosla, IndieWire, 10 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shock value
Cite this Entry
“Shock value.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shock%20value. Accessed 3 Oct. 2025.
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