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
Despite his extensive experience with trades, Kidd admitted that the Doncic deal was on another level in terms of shock value.
—
David Faris, Newsweek, 2 Feb. 2025
His channel is known for its unique challenges, which include things ranging from building the world's largest Lego tower to being buried alive for 50 hours, and his substantial earnings have allowed for his videos to increase in production quality and shock value over time.
—Mary Whitfill Roeloffs, Forbes, 16 Jan. 2025
The most startling aspect of Terrifier 3 is that the brutality has no firm meaning beyond the immediacy of its shock value.
—Eric Kohn, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 Jan. 2025
In all of its shock value, some of the aforementioned treatment in earlier stages of his career was due to his horrorcore approach to alternative Hip-Hop and seemingly offensive lyrics including rhymes about rape and murder.
—Jason Chandler, VIBE.com, 19 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for shock value 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
David Faris, Newsweek, 2 Feb. 2025
His channel is known for its unique challenges, which include things ranging from building the world's largest Lego tower to being buried alive for 50 hours, and his substantial earnings have allowed for his videos to increase in production quality and shock value over time.
—Mary Whitfill Roeloffs, Forbes, 16 Jan. 2025
The most startling aspect of Terrifier 3 is that the brutality has no firm meaning beyond the immediacy of its shock value.
—Eric Kohn, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 Jan. 2025
In all of its shock value, some of the aforementioned treatment in earlier stages of his career was due to his horrorcore approach to alternative Hip-Hop and seemingly offensive lyrics including rhymes about rape and murder.
—Jason Chandler, VIBE.com, 19 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for shock value
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 12 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share