exorbitant

This term carries a strong sense of indignation or shock. It describes a price or demand that is not just high, but offensively so, as if it has stepped outside the orbit of what is considered fair or sane. It is frequently used in consumer complaints or legal disputes to highlight a perceived injustice. While similar to expensive, it differs by implying a lack of justification. A diamond might be expensive because of its rarity, but a bottle of water for ten dollars is exorbitant because the cost is disconnected from the actual value of the item.