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
Today, learning that a restaurant calls itself farm-to-table holds about as much shock value as hearing my server explain that everything at said restaurant is meant to be enjoyed family style.
—
Oset Babür-Winter, Vogue, 8 July 2025
Regardless, the shock value of these protests is real.
—Marianne Krasny, Forbes.com, 24 June 2025
The contests have staying power in part because of their shock value, Bitar said.
—Elise Hammond, CNN Money, 4 July 2025
The White House similarly promoted the political shock value of sending some immigrants awaiting deportation to a detention lockup in Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, and others to a megaprison in El Salvador.
—Will Weissert, Chicago Tribune, 1 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for shock value
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Oset Babür-Winter, Vogue, 8 July 2025
Regardless, the shock value of these protests is real.
—Marianne Krasny, Forbes.com, 24 June 2025
The contests have staying power in part because of their shock value, Bitar said.
—Elise Hammond, CNN Money, 4 July 2025
The White House similarly promoted the political shock value of sending some immigrants awaiting deportation to a detention lockup in Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, and others to a megaprison in El Salvador.
—Will Weissert, Chicago Tribune, 1 July 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 27 Jul. 2025.
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