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 change will mean more money more quickly for the city, but council members focused instead on the yearly updates softening the sticker shock some residents feel when a fee gets raised sharply after three years.
—
David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Mar. 2025
That has led to shortages in grocery stores, with some limiting how many cartons customers can purchase, and sticker shock for consumers who often can’t buy a dozen eggs for less than $10.
—Bruce Gil contributed to this article.
—Ben Kesslen, Quartz, 4 Mar. 2025
Once the team decided to extend Lankinen, the price itself — which understandably caused some sticker shock around Vancouver and within the industry — was relatively paint-by-numbers.
—Thomas Drance, The Athletic, 22 Feb. 2025
Such sticker shocks frustrate consumers and raise suspicions of price gouging.
—Greg Petro, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sticker shock
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Mar. 2025
That has led to shortages in grocery stores, with some limiting how many cartons customers can purchase, and sticker shock for consumers who often can’t buy a dozen eggs for less than $10.
—Bruce Gil contributed to this article.
—Ben Kesslen, Quartz, 4 Mar. 2025
Once the team decided to extend Lankinen, the price itself — which understandably caused some sticker shock around Vancouver and within the industry — was relatively paint-by-numbers.
—Thomas Drance, The Athletic, 22 Feb. 2025
Such sticker shocks frustrate consumers and raise suspicions of price gouging.
—Greg Petro, Forbes, 13 Mar. 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 3 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share