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
As the Oscar-winning writer-director behind Promising Young Woman tells PEOPLE, the shock value of such a scene is inherent to its design.
—
Jack Smart, Peoplemag, 22 Nov. 2023
The series has already garnered attention for its boundary-pushing bedroom scenes — in the premiere, Tim sucks Hawk’s toes — but shock value was not really the point.
—Meredith Blake, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2023
Hurt feelings are the cost of doing business Despite the shock value, the claim, Cappelli says, is pretty modest.
—Jane Thier, Fortune, 19 Oct. 2023
Variety’s chief film critic Owen Gleiberman says the film packs on the nostalgia but omits the shock value that propelled the first film to legacy status.
—Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 4 Oct. 2023
These images are often creepy but never moralistic; there’s a kind of sensuality in their shock value, so that what at first looks like a warning comes to feel like an invitation.
—Jackson Arn, The New Yorker, 11 Sep. 2023
The Effectiveness of the New Sandy Hook Promise PSA
PSAs with a high level of shock value aren’t new for Sandy Hook Promise.
—Beth Ann Mayer, Parents, 27 Sep. 2023
Many people forget that Aguilera was also a part of the kiss, maybe because Spears got the shock value of being first.
—NBC News, 13 Sep. 2023
The animal rights advocacy organization is known for staging highly public demonstrations, using shock value to underscore the fashion industry's cruelty to animals and the environment.
—Hanna Lustig, Glamour, 8 Sep. 2023
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Jack Smart, Peoplemag, 22 Nov. 2023
The series has already garnered attention for its boundary-pushing bedroom scenes — in the premiere, Tim sucks Hawk’s toes — but shock value was not really the point.
—Meredith Blake, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2023
Hurt feelings are the cost of doing business Despite the shock value, the claim, Cappelli says, is pretty modest.
—Jane Thier, Fortune, 19 Oct. 2023
Variety’s chief film critic Owen Gleiberman says the film packs on the nostalgia but omits the shock value that propelled the first film to legacy status.
—Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 4 Oct. 2023
These images are often creepy but never moralistic; there’s a kind of sensuality in their shock value, so that what at first looks like a warning comes to feel like an invitation.
—Jackson Arn, The New Yorker, 11 Sep. 2023
The Effectiveness of the New Sandy Hook Promise PSA
PSAs with a high level of shock value aren’t new for Sandy Hook Promise.
—Beth Ann Mayer, Parents, 27 Sep. 2023
Many people forget that Aguilera was also a part of the kiss, maybe because Spears got the shock value of being first.
—NBC News, 13 Sep. 2023
The animal rights advocacy organization is known for staging highly public demonstrations, using shock value to underscore the fashion industry's cruelty to animals and the environment.
—Hanna Lustig, Glamour, 8 Sep. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'shock value.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near shock value
Cite this Entry
“Shock value.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shock%20value. Accessed 7 Dec. 2023.
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