sticker shock
noun
: astonishment and dismay experienced on being informed of a product's unexpectedly high price
Examples of sticker shock in a Sentence
We left the store suffering severe sticker shock.
Recent Examples on the Web
But while San Francisco’s soaring prices might send budget-conscious travelers into sticker shock, there are plenty of ways to soak up the city’s charm without emptying your wallet.
—
Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 21 July 2025
Still, sticker shock isn’t confined to the supermarket aisle; many Americans are also seeing jaw-dropping energy bills.
—Chicago Tribune, Boston Herald, 19 July 2025
Wilk said that while the worst of the crisis in California may be over, there is more sticker shock to come.
—Scott Cohn, CNBC, 2 July 2025
Shoppers who have just begun to exhale after months of sticker shock were remindedthat lower prices don’t always equal peace of mind.
—Stephanie Gravalese, Forbes.com, 11 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for sticker shock
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Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 21 July 2025
Still, sticker shock isn’t confined to the supermarket aisle; many Americans are also seeing jaw-dropping energy bills.
—Chicago Tribune, Boston Herald, 19 July 2025
Wilk said that while the worst of the crisis in California may be over, there is more sticker shock to come.
—Scott Cohn, CNBC, 2 July 2025
Shoppers who have just begun to exhale after months of sticker shock were remindedthat lower prices don’t always equal peace of mind.
—Stephanie Gravalese, Forbes.com, 11 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for sticker shock
Cite this Entry
“Sticker shock.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sticker%20shock. Accessed 7 Aug. 2025.
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