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
Holy sticker shock, Batman! Fans of the Dark Knight Batman film series starring Christian Bale finally have a chance to own director Christopher Nolan’s iconic take on the Batmobile.
—
Chris Morris, Fortune, 31 Oct. 2024
Increases in pet care have induced sticker shock for some owners and forced some to make difficult financial decisions, USA TODAY reported in April.
—George Petras, USA TODAY, 30 Sep. 2024
But these final stages have focused on relief pitchers who have outsized importance in October, leading to sticker shock at the cost of acquiring bullpen reinforcements.
—Patrick Mooney, The Athletic, 28 July 2024
Even big ticket purchases, like a $2,000 mattress set, would trigger sticker shock.
—Francisco Velasquez, Quartz, 4 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for sticker shock 
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Chris Morris, Fortune, 31 Oct. 2024
Increases in pet care have induced sticker shock for some owners and forced some to make difficult financial decisions, USA TODAY reported in April.
—George Petras, USA TODAY, 30 Sep. 2024
But these final stages have focused on relief pitchers who have outsized importance in October, leading to sticker shock at the cost of acquiring bullpen reinforcements.
—Patrick Mooney, The Athletic, 28 July 2024
Even big ticket purchases, like a $2,000 mattress set, would trigger sticker shock.
—Francisco Velasquez, Quartz, 4 Nov. 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 30 Nov. 2024.
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