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
Despite this, employers hiring for AI roles are shortchanging the entry-level and prioritizing senior and mid-level talent capable of delivering immediate business impact.
—
Becky Frankiewicz, Fortune, 22 Aug. 2025
The governor came to Palm Beach State College just west of Lake Worth Beach on Wednesday to discuss the issue, including his claim that Florida was shortchanged after the 2000 Census and should have gotten one more congressional district.
—Anthony Man, Sun Sentinel, 20 Aug. 2025
No matter your preference, you won’t be shortchanged by a Labor Day visit to the northeast.
—Roger Sands, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2025
While banks prey on the false scarcity by demanding an even higher premium on loans, research shows that for Cook County is being shortchanged in terms of state funding.
—Stacy Davis Gates, Chicago Tribune, 17 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shortchange
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Becky Frankiewicz, Fortune, 22 Aug. 2025
The governor came to Palm Beach State College just west of Lake Worth Beach on Wednesday to discuss the issue, including his claim that Florida was shortchanged after the 2000 Census and should have gotten one more congressional district.
—Anthony Man, Sun Sentinel, 20 Aug. 2025
No matter your preference, you won’t be shortchanged by a Labor Day visit to the northeast.
—Roger Sands, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2025
While banks prey on the false scarcity by demanding an even higher premium on loans, research shows that for Cook County is being shortchanged in terms of state funding.
—Stacy Davis Gates, Chicago Tribune, 17 Aug. 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 8 Sep. 2025.
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