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
Catherine Lane/Getty Images Few household problems create more frustrations or more sticker shock than a malfunctioning air conditioner.
—
Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 9 June 2026
This is where the sticker shock kicks in.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Sacbee.com, 8 June 2026
The sticker shock is beginning to hit home.
—Conor Sen, Boston Herald, 8 June 2026
This tropical mini dress has the cheerful, vacation-ready energy of pricier resort brands without the sticker shock.
—Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 5 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for sticker shock
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Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 9 June 2026
This is where the sticker shock kicks in.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Sacbee.com, 8 June 2026
The sticker shock is beginning to hit home.
—Conor Sen, Boston Herald, 8 June 2026
This tropical mini dress has the cheerful, vacation-ready energy of pricier resort brands without the sticker shock.
—Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 5 June 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 13 Jun. 2026.
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