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

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What was once the premiere superhero parody show on TV has devolved into silly shock value for shock value’s sake, and a lame attempt to make everything an analog for our current political moment. —

Erik Kain, Forbes, 25 Dec. 2024 The resultant climax is actually real here — there’s no condensed milk substitute in sight — but Mitchell’s explicit moment of self-love isn’t just included for shock value. —

David Opie, IndieWire, 7 Dec. 2024 The details burned into public memory and achieving iconic status within America’s crime library, reinforcing the case’s shock value. —

Jeetendr Sehdev, Forbes, 28 Oct. 2024 This episode might not reach the heights of The Walking Dead at its best, but in terms of shock value and plot momentum, some of it comes close. —

Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 20 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for shock value