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
Such sticker shocks frustrate consumers and raise suspicions of price gouging.
—
Greg Petro, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025
Homeowners’ sticker shock raises a tricky legal question Should San Diego have outsourced trash pickup?
—Julie Gallant, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Mar. 2025
Americans are suffering from ‘sticker shock’ How the U.S. has used tariffs throughout history
The levies would cost the typical household $1,200 a year after also accounting for tariffs on China, according to a PIIE analysis.
—Greg Iacurci, CNBC, 4 Mar. 2025
Although the price has sticker shock attached to it, the GMC Sierra pickup is the ultimate usable machine.
—Marc D Grasso, Hartford Courant, 1 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sticker shock
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Greg Petro, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025
Homeowners’ sticker shock raises a tricky legal question Should San Diego have outsourced trash pickup?
—Julie Gallant, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Mar. 2025
Americans are suffering from ‘sticker shock’ How the U.S. has used tariffs throughout history
The levies would cost the typical household $1,200 a year after also accounting for tariffs on China, according to a PIIE analysis.
—Greg Iacurci, CNBC, 4 Mar. 2025
Although the price has sticker shock attached to it, the GMC Sierra pickup is the ultimate usable machine.
—Marc D Grasso, Hartford Courant, 1 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 25 Mar. 2025.
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