shortchange

verb

short·​change ˈshȯrt-ˈchānj 

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

Synonyms

• beat
• bilk
• bleed
• cheat
• chisel
• chouse
• con
• cozen
• defraud
• diddle
• do
• do in
• euchre
• fiddle
• fleece
• flimflam
• gaff
• hose [slang]
• hustle
• mulct
• nobble [British slang]
• pluck
• ream
• rip off
• rook
• screw
• shake down
• short
• skin
• skunk
• squeeze
• stick
• stiff
• sting
• sucker
• swindle
• thimblerig
• victimize

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

But ideas and narrative are inextricable from one another, and Dream Count’s intellectual thinness shortchanges the stories Adichie wants to tell. —Sanjena Sathian, Vulture, 24 Feb. 2025

Thanks to Saquon Barkley, Derrick Henry and Josh Jacobs, veteran running backs never have to worry about getting devalued and shortchanged ever again. —Vic Tafur, The Athletic, 24 Feb. 2025

Using the same exact weights every time is also not the best habit, since this shortchanges your progress. —Christa Sgobba, SELF, 11 Feb. 2025

The most common advice that actor-directors give each other is to not shortchange your own coverage. —Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1903, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for shortchange

• arrange
• derange
• estrange
• exchange
• midrange
• change
• grange
• mange
• range
• strange
• interchange
• rearrange

Kids Definition

shortchange

verb

short·​change -ˈchānj 

1

: to give less than the correct amount of change to

2

: to give less than due : cheat