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
By setting the season on a fictional hot sauce company’s cabin retreat, the show was able to expand its scale while maintaining the necessary shock value.
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Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 10 Apr. 2026
Levinson also chooses shock value too often, leaning toward depravity in the third episode.
—Carla Meyer, San Francisco Chronicle, 8 Apr. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for shock value
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Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 10 Apr. 2026
Levinson also chooses shock value too often, leaning toward depravity in the third episode.
—Carla Meyer, San Francisco Chronicle, 8 Apr. 2026
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
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 20 Apr. 2026.
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