shortchanged

VERB

cheat

Synonyms

WEAK

bamboozle bilk deceive defraud double-deal dupe finagle fleece flimflam hose mislead rip off rook sandbag scam screw shaft stiff swindle take trick

VERB

cheat someone of fair share

Synonyms

STRONGEST

fleece

STRONG

sting

WEAK

rip off shortchange shortweight skim off the top

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The California Teachers Assn. quickly asserted that schools are being shortchanged, estimating that $3.9 billion is being withheld.

From Los Angeles Times • May 14, 2026

If it’s bona-fide Arthur Conan Doyle, I am being decidedly shortchanged.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 3, 2026

In these kinds of situations where family and finance are mixed up, somebody always ends up feeling shortchanged, and no one will ever admit to being wrong.

From MarketWatch • Jan. 19, 2026

But it also reminds us that people who care keep those of us shortchanged by its promise limping along.

From Salon • Jan. 8, 2026

I decide not even to complain about having my first paycheck withheld or the ways we’re shortchanged every day.

From "Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America" by Barbara Ehrenreich