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
Trump’s tariffs have prompted American companies and consumers to pull forward purchases to get ahead of any sticker shock stemming from the duties, which has sent imports surging.
—
Bryan Mena, CNN Money, 29 May 2025
But even though the harm will be more concentrated on some groups, every working Californian and every industry will feel the pain of the gas price sticker shock.
—Ted Gaines, Oc Register, 28 May 2025
That’s assuming that sticker shock doesn’t curb demand beyond the point at which the company can contain the damage through cost cuts.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 8 May 2025
Americans are about to experience sticker shock in home renovation costs.
—Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 29 Apr. 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.
Bryan Mena, CNN Money, 29 May 2025
But even though the harm will be more concentrated on some groups, every working Californian and every industry will feel the pain of the gas price sticker shock.
—Ted Gaines, Oc Register, 28 May 2025
That’s assuming that sticker shock doesn’t curb demand beyond the point at which the company can contain the damage through cost cuts.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 8 May 2025
Americans are about to experience sticker shock in home renovation costs.
—Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 29 Apr. 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 6 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share