underpay

verb

un·der·pay | \ ˌən-dər-ˈpā

How to pronounce underpay (audio)

\

underpaid\ ˌən-dər-ˈpād

How to pronounce underpay (audio)

\; underpaying

Definition of underpay

transitive verb

: to pay less than what is normal or required underpay taxes

Other Words from underpay More Example Sentences Learn More about underpay

Keep scrolling for more

Examples of underpay in a Sentence

She underpaid for her meal. He realized that he had underpaid the cashier. The company underpays its workers. They are underpaid for the work they do.

Recent Examples on the Web Substack’s thesis is, in part, that media companies underpay their most prominent writers. — New York Times, "Why We’re Freaking Out About Substack," 11 Apr. 2021 Some had enough control over local labor markets before the increase to underpay workers; those will absorb the higher wage in their profit margins. — Greg Ip, WSJ, "A Pandemic May Be a Risky Time for a Higher Minimum Wage," 3 Mar. 2021 Setting a floor, even a low one, limited an employer’s ability to underpay workers, ensured a minimum measure of purchasing power and allowed for fair competition between businesses. — Felix Koenig, The Conversation, "Ensuring the minimum wage keeps up with economic growth would be the best way to help workers and preserve FDR’s legacy," 26 Feb. 2021 Doing away with that limit allows employers to underpay workers drastically, according to Heidi Shierholz, director of policy at the left-leaning Economic Policy Institute who worked in the Labor Department under President Obama. — Irina Ivanova, CBS News, "Labor Department changes rules on tipping in a move that could cost workers $700 million," 23 Dec. 2020 Stronger governmental oversight is especially necessary during a recession, when the rate at which employers underpay their minimum-wage workers skyrockets, according to research Fine oversaw this year. — Maria Aspan, Fortune, "What low-wage workers need from the 2020 election," 30 Sep. 2020 And Maximus has also been accused of underpaying workers in Idaho and Kansas. — NBC News, "CDC contractor failed to follow coronavirus rules, and a worker got sick, whistleblower says," 16 Apr. 2020 And relatives of Paul Pogue, the owner of a construction company found guilty of underpaying his taxes, whom Trump also pardoned, have donated large sums to Trump's reelection campaign. — Author: Jill Colvin, Zeke Miller, Michael Tarm, Anchorage Daily News, "Trump goes on a clemency spree, pardoning former Illinois Gov. Blagojevich among others," 18 Feb. 2020 Let’s be clear: there is nothing innovative about underpaying someone for their labor. — BostonGlobe.com, "SACRAMENTO — California legislators approved a landmark bill Tuesday that requires companies like Uber and Lyft to treat contract workers as employees, a move that could reshape the gig economy and that adds fuel to a yearslong debate over whether the nature of work has become too insecure.," 12 Sep. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'underpay.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about underpay

Dictionary Entries near underpay

Statistics for underpay

Last Updated

15 Apr 2021

Cite this Entry

“Underpay.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/underpay. Accessed 9 May. 2021.

Style: MLA

MLA

Chicago

APA

Merriam-Webster Check Mark Icon

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for underpay

underpay

verb

English Language Learners Definition of underpay

: to pay too little for something

See the full definition for underpay in the English Language Learners Dictionary

WORD OF THE DAY

paean

Listen to the pronunciation of paean

See Definitions and Examples »

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Star Wars Words Quiz

The bounty portion of bounty hunters (such as Boba Fett) comes from a Latin word meaning

Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Anagram puzzles meet word search.

TAKE THE QUIZ