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
There was some initial sticker shock when ticket packages costing as much as $3,400 went on sale, but since then there have been many more single-game and group options.
—
Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 3 Dec. 2025
Prepare for automotive sticker shock next year – again.
—Chris Isidore, CNN Money, 3 Dec. 2025
Many Chicago homeowners have been suffering from sticker shock, as property tax bills on the South and West sides have skyrocketed.
—Marissa Perlman, CBS News, 1 Dec. 2025
Quince has become an internet-famous go-to for gorgeous bedding basics that embody a ‘quiet luxury’ aesthetic without the sticker shock, along with responsible sourcing, free shipping, and a generous 365-day return policy.
—Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sticker shock
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Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 3 Dec. 2025
Prepare for automotive sticker shock next year – again.
—Chris Isidore, CNN Money, 3 Dec. 2025
Many Chicago homeowners have been suffering from sticker shock, as property tax bills on the South and West sides have skyrocketed.
—Marissa Perlman, CBS News, 1 Dec. 2025
Quince has become an internet-famous go-to for gorgeous bedding basics that embody a ‘quiet luxury’ aesthetic without the sticker shock, along with responsible sourcing, free shipping, and a generous 365-day return policy.
—Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Nov. 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 6 Dec. 2025.
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