underpay
verb
un·der·pay
ˌən-dər-ˈpā 
underpaid
ˌən-dər-ˈpād
; underpaying
; underpaying
: to pay less than what is normal or required
underpay taxes
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
Shonkwiler conceded that some ratepayers can be stuck with significant expenses in these true ups if their estimate led them to underpay for 12 months.
—
Sophie Hartley, IndyStar, 29 Jan. 2026
Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield and UnitedHealthcare have been underpaying for the patients going to the hospital, Reetz said.
—Alexandra Kukulka, Chicago Tribune, 27 Jan. 2026
Improper payments most often look like unintentionally underpaying or overpaying a provider because information doesn’t get updated in real time, said Bob Schneider, from the Citizens Research Council of Michigan, who previously studied Michigan’s child care subsidy.
—Beki San Martin, Freep.com, 26 Jan. 2026
Similarly, a taxpayer with a spouse who works and earns a lot of money might want to increase their withholdings to avoid underpaying their taxes throughout the year.
—Nathan Goldman, Forbes.com, 5 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for underpay
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Sophie Hartley, IndyStar, 29 Jan. 2026
Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield and UnitedHealthcare have been underpaying for the patients going to the hospital, Reetz said.
—Alexandra Kukulka, Chicago Tribune, 27 Jan. 2026
Improper payments most often look like unintentionally underpaying or overpaying a provider because information doesn’t get updated in real time, said Bob Schneider, from the Citizens Research Council of Michigan, who previously studied Michigan’s child care subsidy.
—Beki San Martin, Freep.com, 26 Jan. 2026
Similarly, a taxpayer with a spouse who works and earns a lot of money might want to increase their withholdings to avoid underpaying their taxes throughout the year.
—Nathan Goldman, Forbes.com, 5 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for underpay
Cite this Entry
“Underpay.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/underpay. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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