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
In this case, that sticker shock could be exacerbated by a price increase that's already hitting coffee.
—
Max Zahn, ABC News, 10 July 2025
The price of eggs may still give you sticker shock, but somehow, Amazon Prime Day has top brands at their lowest prices yet.
—Shalwah Evans, People.com, 9 July 2025
More fiscal sticker shock could send Treasury yields higher and add more pressure on the dollar, which is already down 10% this year, its worst first-half performance in more than 50 years.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 30 June 2025
In March, consumer spending soared 0.7% as Americans pulled forward their purchases, particularly of cars, to avoid the sticker shock from Trump’s tariffs.
—Bryan Mena, CNN Money, 27 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for sticker shock
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Max Zahn, ABC News, 10 July 2025
The price of eggs may still give you sticker shock, but somehow, Amazon Prime Day has top brands at their lowest prices yet.
—Shalwah Evans, People.com, 9 July 2025
More fiscal sticker shock could send Treasury yields higher and add more pressure on the dollar, which is already down 10% this year, its worst first-half performance in more than 50 years.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 30 June 2025
In March, consumer spending soared 0.7% as Americans pulled forward their purchases, particularly of cars, to avoid the sticker shock from Trump’s tariffs.
—Bryan Mena, CNN Money, 27 May 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 20 Jul. 2025.
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