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
Wealthier Americans who own financial and property assets have survived elevated inflation, while Americans with less financial means have been struck by sticker shock and rising energy prices.
—
Nino Paoli, Fortune, 18 Dec. 2025
Some experts say consumers should brace for more sticker shock ahead — and higher inflation, which could limit the Fed's willingness to cut interest rates too much further in 2026.
—Susan Tompor, USA Today, 16 Dec. 2025
Routing that water away from the turbines at the expense of electric ratepayers around the West brought sticker shock.
—Brandon Loomis, AZCentral.com, 15 Dec. 2025
Sternthal of Community Catalyst thinks Congress will face political pressure to address the expired tax credits once once millions of families face sticker shock in January.
—Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 12 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sticker shock
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Nino Paoli, Fortune, 18 Dec. 2025
Some experts say consumers should brace for more sticker shock ahead — and higher inflation, which could limit the Fed's willingness to cut interest rates too much further in 2026.
—Susan Tompor, USA Today, 16 Dec. 2025
Routing that water away from the turbines at the expense of electric ratepayers around the West brought sticker shock.
—Brandon Loomis, AZCentral.com, 15 Dec. 2025
Sternthal of Community Catalyst thinks Congress will face political pressure to address the expired tax credits once once millions of families face sticker shock in January.
—Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 12 Dec. 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 22 Dec. 2025.
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