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
Indeed, over recent years, multiple reviews of the MSR project by independent groups have flagged MSR sticker shock.
—
Leonard David, Space.com, 13 May 2025
Many are just eliminating the products that will cause sticker shock rather than try to sell at prices either customers won’t buy or competitors will undercut, companies and analysts say.
—Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 13 May 2025
College 'sticker shock' scares many Americans Academic leaders say Americans focus too much on the sticker price of college, which now exceeds $70,000 a year in tuition and fees at the priciest schools.
—Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 10 May 2025
An initial proposal of $53 announced in February triggered sticker shock and anger among many residents, especially in light of preliminary projections of $23-$29 per month before city voters approved Measure B in 2022, paving the way for a fee.
—Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for sticker shock
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Leonard David, Space.com, 13 May 2025
Many are just eliminating the products that will cause sticker shock rather than try to sell at prices either customers won’t buy or competitors will undercut, companies and analysts say.
—Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 13 May 2025
College 'sticker shock' scares many Americans Academic leaders say Americans focus too much on the sticker price of college, which now exceeds $70,000 a year in tuition and fees at the priciest schools.
—Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 10 May 2025
An initial proposal of $53 announced in February triggered sticker shock and anger among many residents, especially in light of preliminary projections of $23-$29 per month before city voters approved Measure B in 2022, paving the way for a fee.
—Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 May 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 27 May. 2025.
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