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

Consumers saw incredible sticker shock over the past year for fuel oil, which went up 52% year over year. — Susan Tompor, Freep.com, 11 Sep. 2026

How a Vehicle Protection Plan Works Transmissions are not the only repairs that can trigger sticker shock. — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Miami Herald, 11 Sep. 2026

Shoppers may feel more and more sticker shock, particularly in the grocery aisle. — ABC News, 11 Sep. 2026

And shoppers may see more and more sticker shock trickle down to store shelves. — Wyatte Grantham-Philips, Fortune, 4 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1981, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for sticker shock

• aftershock
• antiknock
• arawak
• hollyhock
• interlock
• manioc
• shuttlecock
• tomahawk
• weathercock
• alcock
• beanstalk
• bedrock