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
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.
Across the Twin Cities, tax bills are giving many homeowners sticker shock. Kyle Stokes, Axios, 9 Dec. 2024 Drone manufacturers, operating on tight margins, often experience sticker shock when comparing costs to conventional Chinese batteries. Jaehee Sweeney, Forbes, 4 Dec. 2024 Sources familiar with the early discussions between Senate and House Republicans say the House GOP is floating the idea of a four-year extension of the law so its impact on the federal deficit, as determined by the Joint Committee on Taxation, won’t give House conservatives sticker shock. Alexander Bolton, The Hill, 26 Nov. 2024 However, those with a case of sticker shock may have overlooked the LVGP’s influx of 10,000 additional general admission tickets available for 2024, bringing the total GA capacity to nearly 13,000. Jeff Gluck, The Athletic, 21 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for sticker shock 

Word History

First Known Use

1981, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sticker shock was in 1981

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 Dec. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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