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
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
Partly because there's money in the shock value.
—H. Alan Scott, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Aug. 2025
At its core, the kitchen sink sandwich is less about shock value and more about having fun with cooking.
—Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Aug. 2025
While folks all over the country try to fry all kinds of thing for shock value, these 10 Southern classics are better than anything out there.
—Josh Miller, Southern Living, 3 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shock value
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Proma Khosla, IndieWire, 10 Sep. 2025
Partly because there's money in the shock value.
—H. Alan Scott, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Aug. 2025
At its core, the kitchen sink sandwich is less about shock value and more about having fun with cooking.
—Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Aug. 2025
While folks all over the country try to fry all kinds of thing for shock value, these 10 Southern classics are better than anything out there.
—Josh Miller, Southern Living, 3 Aug. 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 18 Sep. 2025.
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