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

While brands get sticker shock on ads for the big game, the Super Bowl is still important, even in a fragmented attention economy, Whitler said, and there’s no other comparable way to reach Americans en masse. —Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 8 Feb. 2026

Routine maintenance and upgrades to the grid were already causing households nationwide to experience sticker shock on their monthly bills. —Ella Nilsen, CNN Money, 5 Feb. 2026

The sticker shock on Timberwolves’ season tickets for the 2026-27 campaign was a little more drastic than originally thought for many when renewals were sent out Wednesday. —Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 22 Jan. 2026

For example, consumers have faced sticker shock for beef and veal prices, which were up 16% year over year in December. —Greg Iacurci,jessica Dickler, CNBC, 21 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1981, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for sticker shock

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