sticker shock
Americannoun
Etymology
Origin of sticker shock
sticker ( price ) + shock
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Puerto Rico also relies heavily on oil for generating power, but Cathy Kunkel, a consultant with the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis, said its residents aren’t yet facing the same sticker shock.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 21, 2026
Locals in Southern California and Oklahoma City endured the presale headaches and sticker shock before the global audience got their shot at securing tickets this week.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 15, 2026
Many of us have experienced the insurance-rate sticker shock of upgrading from a beloved old jalopy to something newer and nicer.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 2026
“You don’t want sticker shock a year from now,” he says.
From MarketWatch • Mar. 25, 2026
Profits may take a near-term hit to avoid giving shoppers sticker shock.
From Barron's • Mar. 19, 2026
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
