Shortchange

Quick meaning: Shortchange is a verb meaning (transitive) To defraud (someone) by giving them less change than they should be given after a transaction.

Meaning

(transitive) To defraud (someone) by giving them less change than they should be given after a transaction.

More Meanings

1. (transitive, by extension) To deprive (someone or something) of something due; to treat unfairly; to cheat, deceive; to half-ass.

Example Sentences

I got shortchanged! I gave him $10 for a $5 item and he only gave me $1 back.

The elective class was easy, but in the end I was shortchanging myself by taking it.

This article's sparse discussion of tax-policy implications shortchanges the subject.

Dr. [James D.] Watson’s tell-all memoir, “The Double Helix,” had also provoked his colleagues when it was published in 1968, infuriating them for, in their view, elevating himself while shortchanging others who were involved in the project.

Word Forms

• shortchanges
• shortchanging
• shortchanged
• short-change
• short change

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include cheat, grift, rob, pinch, con, screw.

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