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
New York City parents opening their latest private school tuition bills are experiencing serious sticker shock.
—
Jacquelyn Martell, New York Daily News, 28 Feb. 2026
Other Charlotte-area residents described similar sticker shock.
—Nora O'Neill, Charlotte Observer, 27 Feb. 2026
The council’s Rules Committee praised the proposal, which was presented by Councilmember Raul Campillo, for its goal of boosting transparency and avoiding resident sticker shock.
—David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Feb. 2026
The dearth of cocoa, analysts said, has ratcheted up input costs for chocolate makers and vaulted retail prices, leading to sticker shock in grocery and candy store aisles.
—Max Zahn, ABC News, 13 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sticker shock
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Jacquelyn Martell, New York Daily News, 28 Feb. 2026
Other Charlotte-area residents described similar sticker shock.
—Nora O'Neill, Charlotte Observer, 27 Feb. 2026
The council’s Rules Committee praised the proposal, which was presented by Councilmember Raul Campillo, for its goal of boosting transparency and avoiding resident sticker shock.
—David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Feb. 2026
The dearth of cocoa, analysts said, has ratcheted up input costs for chocolate makers and vaulted retail prices, leading to sticker shock in grocery and candy store aisles.
—Max Zahn, ABC News, 13 Feb. 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 2 Mar. 2026.
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