as in cheated
to rob by the use of trickery or threats
charged that the used-car dealer had been shorting customers for years
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Recent Examples of shorted
Those who shorted the provocation phase got crushed by the pivot.
—
Jon Markman, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026
While several private credit firms, like Apollo, spotted the potential problems at First Brands and even shorted the credit before the company filed for bankruptcy, others failed to notice the red flags.
—Robert Frank, CNBC, 2 Dec. 2025
The initial claim from Nebraska was scant on details about how much water is being shorted to Nebraska users.
—The Denver Post Editorial Board, Denver Post, 28 Oct. 2025
Electric telegraph lines across Europe and the Americas shorted out.
—Literary Hub, 27 Oct. 2025
Due to its sharp increase of votes for Tarrant County College, all the other taxing entities were shorted the number of votes they are entitled to, Barnes said.
—Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Oct. 2025
The water shorted his air conditioning unit.
—Mario Ariza, ProPublica, 15 Sep. 2025
Paramount stock is more heavily shorted by far than shares in its media peers, which can increase volatility.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 13 Aug. 2025
Jon Markman, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026
While several private credit firms, like Apollo, spotted the potential problems at First Brands and even shorted the credit before the company filed for bankruptcy, others failed to notice the red flags.
—Robert Frank, CNBC, 2 Dec. 2025
The initial claim from Nebraska was scant on details about how much water is being shorted to Nebraska users.
—The Denver Post Editorial Board, Denver Post, 28 Oct. 2025
Electric telegraph lines across Europe and the Americas shorted out.
—Literary Hub, 27 Oct. 2025
Due to its sharp increase of votes for Tarrant County College, all the other taxing entities were shorted the number of votes they are entitled to, Barnes said.
—Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Oct. 2025
The water shorted his air conditioning unit.
—Mario Ariza, ProPublica, 15 Sep. 2025
Paramount stock is more heavily shorted by far than shares in its media peers, which can increase volatility.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 13 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shorted
Verb
-
After the Astros cheated to win the 2017 World Series, the Dodgers didn’t face them again until 2020.—
Assistant Sports Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Jan. 2026
-
Bondi forgave a crime that had put people’s lives at risk and cheated the government of vaccine doses that could have been given to others.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Dosunmu plucked the ball away after it was fumbled by Norman Powell, who crashed to the ground as Matas Buzelis blew past him.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Jan. 2026
-
The 2009 drama was based on Michael Lewis’ 2006 book of the same name, which tracked the story of football star Michael Oher, who was plucked from homelessness and poverty when taken in by wealthy couple Leigh Anne Tuohy and Sean Tuohy.—
Alexandra Del Rosario,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
European automakers face a volatile year, squeezed by weak markets, a lack of profitability, uncertain European emissions regulations, and pressure for restructuring and mergers, while rushing to electrify and defend against burgeoning Chinese competition.—
Neil Winton,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
-
On a typical day, Troy would have been getting ready to go to sleep on one of the two sets of bunk beds that had been squeezed into the kids’ bedroom at home.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Toronto hustled to a 14-point advantage before settling for a 32-24 lead after one quarter.—
Oc Register,
Oc Register,
17 Jan. 2026
-
Fiala hustled back to block Eichel’s shot, but Eichel recovered it to find Stone on the doorstep for an uncontested winner.—
Andrew Knoll,
Daily News,
15 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The criticism stung deeper coming from someone who avoided Vietnam military service.—
Pan Pylas,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Jan. 2026
-
His sarcasm stung almost daily, but the winning followed weekly.—
Andrew Callahan,
Boston Herald,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
There are other complications, of course — typical Marvel stuff — but even without them, Simon is still screwed.—
Nicholas Quah,
Vulture,
27 Jan. 2026
-
That doesn’t mean you’re screwed if your job is highly repetitive.—
Korin Miller,
SELF,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
With all this ice, barges get stuck.—
Megan Shinn,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Cold temperatures that stuck in Iowa for over a week will continue, but will not be as frigid, forecasts show.—
Kyle Werner,
Des Moines Register,
27 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shorted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shorted. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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