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
But the reverse sticker shock has impressed American rivals regardless.
—
Richard Nieva, Forbes, 30 Jan. 2025
Amplifying that sticker shock are mortgage rates returning to typical levels after hitting record lows, mid-pandemic.
—Jonathan Lansner, Orange County Register, 17 Jan. 2025
The cost estimate has left supporters and detractors with sticker shock.
—Rebecca Ellis, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2024
After all, prices are up by 22.7% from five years ago, compared with an 8.9% increase in the five-year period from 2014-2019, so everyone continues to live with some measure of sticker shock.
—Jill Schlesinger, The Mercury News, 30 Dec. 2024
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.
Richard Nieva, Forbes, 30 Jan. 2025
Amplifying that sticker shock are mortgage rates returning to typical levels after hitting record lows, mid-pandemic.
—Jonathan Lansner, Orange County Register, 17 Jan. 2025
The cost estimate has left supporters and detractors with sticker shock.
—Rebecca Ellis, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2024
After all, prices are up by 22.7% from five years ago, compared with an 8.9% increase in the five-year period from 2014-2019, so everyone continues to live with some measure of sticker shock.
—Jill Schlesinger, The Mercury News, 30 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for sticker shock
Dictionary Entries Near sticker shock
Cite this Entry
“Sticker shock.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sticker%20shock. Accessed 22 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share