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
These stories go beyond supplying shock value.
—
Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 12 Mar. 2026
But Tan’s story goes well beyond the shock value of his appearance.
—Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 12 Mar. 2026
There are some fistfights, torture scenes, an abduction and gunshots, but most of these are done tastefully and not for shock value.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 11 Mar. 2026
That’s the series going for shock value.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 10 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for shock value
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Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 12 Mar. 2026
But Tan’s story goes well beyond the shock value of his appearance.
—Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 12 Mar. 2026
There are some fistfights, torture scenes, an abduction and gunshots, but most of these are done tastefully and not for shock value.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 11 Mar. 2026
That’s the series going for shock value.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 10 Mar. 2026
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 17 Mar. 2026.
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