shortchange

verb

short·​change ˈshȯrt-ˈchānj How to pronounce shortchange (audio)
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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The source said there’s a sentiment in city government that the state is trying to shortchange the city. Evan Simko-Bednarski, New York Daily News, 16 July 2025 The question of who’s important in the show’s eyes expanded so much that some were bound to get shortchanged. Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 26 June 2025 Sankey said the way the committee seems to weigh strength of schedule shortchanges the conference slate, which doesn’t include any teams among the lower half of the 134 NCAA FBS programs. Ralph D. Russo, New York Times, 27 May 2025 Hilgers said Colorado has been shortchanging Nebraska during the irrigation season, allowing only about 75 cubic feet (about 2 cubic meters) per second of water daily into Nebraska this summer. Margery A. Beck, Denver Post, 16 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for shortchange

Word History

First Known Use

1903, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of shortchange was in 1903

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Shortchange.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shortchange. Accessed 19 Aug. 2025.

Kids Definition

shortchange

verb
short·​change -ˈchānj How to pronounce shortchange (audio)
1
: to give less than the correct amount of change to
2
: to give less than due : cheat

More from Merriam-Webster on shortchange

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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