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
And for some Americans, sticker shock from tariffs might mean skipping a new pair of jeans or squeezing a few more months out of a wheezing vacuum cleaner.
—
Karen Yuan, The Atlantic, 24 Apr. 2025
Still, the tariffs could create sticker shock for some American consumers and contribute to broader inflation concerns.
—Frank Holmes, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025
Preserving the ‘gem’ of Delray Beach: Here’s the new idea to protect the downtown
A $2 billion Pompano Beach downtown makeover: Big plans ahead with homes, stores and more
Fort Lauderdale residents get sticker shock from water bills.
—Milena Malaver, Sun Sentinel, 2 Mar. 2025
Companies are expecting many impacts, from price increases to consumer wariness, and orders of big-ticket items have surged on the expectation of sticker shock.
—Lori Ann Larocco, CNBC, 24 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sticker shock
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Karen Yuan, The Atlantic, 24 Apr. 2025
Still, the tariffs could create sticker shock for some American consumers and contribute to broader inflation concerns.
—Frank Holmes, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025
Preserving the ‘gem’ of Delray Beach: Here’s the new idea to protect the downtown
A $2 billion Pompano Beach downtown makeover: Big plans ahead with homes, stores and more
Fort Lauderdale residents get sticker shock from water bills.
—Milena Malaver, Sun Sentinel, 2 Mar. 2025
Companies are expecting many impacts, from price increases to consumer wariness, and orders of big-ticket items have surged on the expectation of sticker shock.
—Lori Ann Larocco, CNBC, 24 Apr. 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 11 May. 2025.
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