shock tactics

plural noun

: actions, images, stories, etc., that surprise and upset people
I don't think there's anything wrong with using shock tactics to discourage people from driving while drunk.

Examples of shock tactics in a Sentence

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But mostly Cai keeps the emotional momentum building without resorting to shock tactics, thereby buying himself credibility for developments that could otherwise seem a little on the nose. Jessica Kiang, Variety, 5 Sep. 2025 The campaign avoided shock tactics, instead choosing a hopeful, inspiring tone. Cheryl Robinson, Forbes, 25 Mar. 2025 The day is remembered by several witness, but the documentary deftly avoids any predictable shock tactics. Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 25 July 2023 Like many rock stars before him, Healy is known for his on-stage shock tactics. Daysia Tolentino, NBC News, 5 June 2023

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“Shock tactics.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shock%20tactics. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.

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