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

The painful memory of the last citywide revaluation in 2021 is still fresh, with a broad cross-section of homeowners experiencing real estate tax bill sticker shock as residential property values soared in the immediate aftermath of the pandemic. — Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 19 July 2026

From tomatoes and berries to lettuce and peppers, shoppers are feeling sticker shock in the produce aisle. — Elizabeth Canales, The Conversation, 16 July 2026

By virtue of being last, the ground for a more expensive iPhone 18 Pro has already been laid, without Apple having to endure sticker shock. — Ewan Spence, Forbes.com, 11 July 2026

Alongside its best-selling bedding and cozy cashmere loungewear, the direct-to-consumer lifestyle brand offers a lineup of stylish Italian leather bags that channel quiet luxury without the sticker shock. — Better Homes & Gardens, 6 July 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