shortchange

verb

short·​change ˈshȯrt-ˈchānj 

shortchanged; shortchanging; shortchanges

transitive verb

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

Synonyms

• beat
• bilk
• bleed
• cheat
• chisel
• chouse
• con
• cozen
• defraud
• diddle
• do
• do in
• euchre
• fiddle
• fleece
• flimflam
• gaff
• hose [slang]
• hustle
• mulct
• nobble [British slang]
• pluck
• ream
• rip off
• rook
• screw
• shake down
• short
• skin
• skunk
• squeeze
• stick
• stiff
• sting
• sucker
• swindle
• thimblerig
• victimize

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

For years, the military services have shortchanged munitions in favor of new weapons systems and platforms. —Mitch McConnell, Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2024

Those shortchanged include Johnny and Loren (Barbie Ferreira), a friend from his recovery program. —Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 Dec. 2024

More Rosenthal: By getting Pete Alonso in the Home Run Derby, MLB shortchanged two of his Mets teammates. —Ken Rosenthal, The Athletic, 11 July 2024

Profits were lifted by the settlement this year of lawsuits with some former shareholders of Postbank, who took legal action against Deutsche Bank alleging that a 2010 takeover shortchanged them. —Afp, Fortune Europe, 23 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1903, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

shortchange

verb

short·​change -ˈchānj 

1

: to give less than the correct amount of change to

2

: to give less than due : cheat