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 fans have been suffering from sticker shock.
—
John Cassidy, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026
Parents across the country are dealing with sticker shock after a weekend spent digesting admission prices at AAU tournaments from Pittsburgh to Milwaukee.
—Joe Kinsey Outkick, FOXNews.com, 20 Apr. 2026
Locals in Southern California and Oklahoma City endured the presale headaches and sticker shock before the global audience got their shot at securing tickets this week.
—Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 16 Apr. 2026
Consumers cooking burgers for Memorial Day will feel sticker shock in other grocery store aisles too.
—Alex Harring, CNBC, 15 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sticker shock
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John Cassidy, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026
Parents across the country are dealing with sticker shock after a weekend spent digesting admission prices at AAU tournaments from Pittsburgh to Milwaukee.
—Joe Kinsey Outkick, FOXNews.com, 20 Apr. 2026
Locals in Southern California and Oklahoma City endured the presale headaches and sticker shock before the global audience got their shot at securing tickets this week.
—Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 16 Apr. 2026
Consumers cooking burgers for Memorial Day will feel sticker shock in other grocery store aisles too.
—Alex Harring, CNBC, 15 Apr. 2026
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 23 Apr. 2026.
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