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
And the social impact, of course, goes far beyond the shock value of viral videos.
—
David McKenzie, CNN, 28 Mar. 2024
The goal was to diminish the shock value of any retaliation by Beijing for Pelosi’s trip, a senior White House official says.
—TIME, 29 Feb. 2024
Don’t leave her in a bind; don’t put shock value on it.
—Jenny Berg, Vogue, 17 Oct. 2023
That film strikes a remarkable balance, using its more graphic moments to enhance the story’s gravity rather than for shock value alone.
—Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 Mar. 2024
Sophia says that Cutler would routinely represent Nazi imagery despite being Black, mainly for shock value.
—Ali Winston, WIRED, 13 Mar. 2024
That made his presence at practice have significantly less shock value.
—Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 5 Mar. 2024
Hoarding and 'shock value' Treatments for hoarding disorder, naturally, will vary depending on severity.
—David Oliver, USA TODAY, 8 Jan. 2024
Her career has survived because comedy thrives on shock value, but also because she’s been willing to apologize, repeatedly and sincerely, and acknowledge when her humor has offended or no longer aligns with social mores.
—Amy Kaufman, Los Angeles Times, 30 Nov. 2023
David McKenzie, CNN, 28 Mar. 2024
The goal was to diminish the shock value of any retaliation by Beijing for Pelosi’s trip, a senior White House official says.
—TIME, 29 Feb. 2024
Don’t leave her in a bind; don’t put shock value on it.
—Jenny Berg, Vogue, 17 Oct. 2023
That film strikes a remarkable balance, using its more graphic moments to enhance the story’s gravity rather than for shock value alone.
—Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 Mar. 2024
Sophia says that Cutler would routinely represent Nazi imagery despite being Black, mainly for shock value.
—Ali Winston, WIRED, 13 Mar. 2024
That made his presence at practice have significantly less shock value.
—Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 5 Mar. 2024
Hoarding and 'shock value' Treatments for hoarding disorder, naturally, will vary depending on severity.
—David Oliver, USA TODAY, 8 Jan. 2024
Her career has survived because comedy thrives on shock value, but also because she’s been willing to apologize, repeatedly and sincerely, and acknowledge when her humor has offended or no longer aligns with social mores.
—Amy Kaufman, Los Angeles Times, 30 Nov. 2023
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 19 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share