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
Michael Martin, a nonresident fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said the military could slow the delivery of supplies, deny visas to relief workers or direct more aid to areas nominally under its control, shortchanging areas under opposition control.
—
Sui-Lee Wee, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025
This is important to make sure New York as a whole is not shortchanged and promotes fair representation and service allocations for all neighborhoods.
—Julie Menin, New York Daily News, 1 Apr. 2025
According to the Tribe’s attorneys, bank officials shortchanged the trust by picking safe investment strategies, shunning stocks in favor of less volatile but less lucrative money market accounts that didn’t always keep pace with inflation.
—Rafael Olmeda, Sun Sentinel, 24 Mar. 2025
Ultimately, said Perez, this can shortchange children: They’re being looked after rather than educated.
—Max Klaver, Miami Herald, 20 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shortchange
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Sui-Lee Wee, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025
This is important to make sure New York as a whole is not shortchanged and promotes fair representation and service allocations for all neighborhoods.
—Julie Menin, New York Daily News, 1 Apr. 2025
According to the Tribe’s attorneys, bank officials shortchanged the trust by picking safe investment strategies, shunning stocks in favor of less volatile but less lucrative money market accounts that didn’t always keep pace with inflation.
—Rafael Olmeda, Sun Sentinel, 24 Mar. 2025
Ultimately, said Perez, this can shortchange children: They’re being looked after rather than educated.
—Max Klaver, Miami Herald, 20 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 21 May. 2025.
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