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
As a result, industry analysts expect consumers to see higher car prices, and some buyers have been rushing to the dealerships in anticipation of future sticker shock.
—
Emma Bowman, NPR, 5 Apr. 2025
The vibe thus far among commenters has been sticker shock amid rippling international trade agreements.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 4 Apr. 2025
Tesla owners who do trade in or sell may be in for a reverse sticker shock over the disappointing price their EVs fetch on the used car market.
—Robert Channick, Chicago Tribune, 22 Mar. 2025
City finance experts say conducting appraisals every other year would allow for smaller, more manageable single-digit rate increases that don't give homeowners massive sticker shock.
—Nate Rau, Axios, 17 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sticker shock
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Emma Bowman, NPR, 5 Apr. 2025
The vibe thus far among commenters has been sticker shock amid rippling international trade agreements.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 4 Apr. 2025
Tesla owners who do trade in or sell may be in for a reverse sticker shock over the disappointing price their EVs fetch on the used car market.
—Robert Channick, Chicago Tribune, 22 Mar. 2025
City finance experts say conducting appraisals every other year would allow for smaller, more manageable single-digit rate increases that don't give homeowners massive sticker shock.
—Nate Rau, Axios, 17 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 22 Apr. 2025.
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