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 tally may even provide a sticker shock for BMW enthusiasts, who also may justify the hefty number considering the carmaker’s reputation as a driver’s delight.
—
James Raia, Mercury News, 15 Mar. 2026
The most famous episode was last April, when sticker shock over the size of his tariff program sent stocks plummeting and nearly broke the Treasury market.
—Matt Peterson, CNBC, 13 Mar. 2026
From groceries to gas bills, Minnesotans see sticker shock every day.
—Caroline Cummings, CBS News, 12 Mar. 2026
Wait—don’t get sticker shock just yet!
—Lane Nieset, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sticker shock
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James Raia, Mercury News, 15 Mar. 2026
The most famous episode was last April, when sticker shock over the size of his tariff program sent stocks plummeting and nearly broke the Treasury market.
—Matt Peterson, CNBC, 13 Mar. 2026
From groceries to gas bills, Minnesotans see sticker shock every day.
—Caroline Cummings, CBS News, 12 Mar. 2026
Wait—don’t get sticker shock just yet!
—Lane Nieset, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Mar. 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 16 Mar. 2026.
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