shortchange
verb
short·change
ˈshȯrt-ˈchānj 
shortchanged; shortchanging; shortchanges
1
: to give less than the correct amount of change to
2
: to deprive of or give less than something due : cheat
was shortchanged out of a promotion
shortchanger
noun
Examples of shortchange in a Sentence
The cashier shortchanged me. I gave her 10 dollars to pay for an $8.95 book, and she only gave me a dollar back.
The band shortchanged its fans by playing for only 30 minutes.
Recent Examples on the Web
At that time, board members faced lawsuits by many charter schools who alleged they had been shortchanged out of funding from a 2018 referendum.
—
Scott Travis, Sun Sentinel, 4 Mar. 2025
Some said that the politicians and developers purposely made the neighborhood worse by shortchanging it on rubbish collection and other services, for instance, justifying their demolition strategy.
—Peter Lucas, Boston Herald, 20 Feb. 2025
It should be said, though, that, with regard to NATO, the Europeans for decades have relied too heavily on American guarantees while shortchanging their own armies and funding their welfare states.
—Dexter Filkins, The New Yorker, 20 Feb. 2025
Balancing each big box office blockbuster and directorial pursuit with family life may lead to one of those efforts being shortchanged, which is not how Jordan wants to enter that stage in his life.
—Kayla Grant, People.com, 12 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shortchange
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Scott Travis, Sun Sentinel, 4 Mar. 2025
Some said that the politicians and developers purposely made the neighborhood worse by shortchanging it on rubbish collection and other services, for instance, justifying their demolition strategy.
—Peter Lucas, Boston Herald, 20 Feb. 2025
It should be said, though, that, with regard to NATO, the Europeans for decades have relied too heavily on American guarantees while shortchanging their own armies and funding their welfare states.
—Dexter Filkins, The New Yorker, 20 Feb. 2025
Balancing each big box office blockbuster and directorial pursuit with family life may lead to one of those efforts being shortchanged, which is not how Jordan wants to enter that stage in his life.
—Kayla Grant, People.com, 12 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shortchange
Cite this Entry
“Shortchange.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shortchange. Accessed 19 Mar. 2025.
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