as in cheating
to rob by the use of trickery or threats
was shortchanged out of a promotion
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Recent Examples of shortchanging
The county had long been credited by some for its fiscal acumen, while at the same time criticized by others for shortchanging residents on important services.
—
Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Jan. 2026
Some rounded prices down to avoid shortchanging shoppers.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 12 Nov. 2025
Greenblatt’s myth of a Romantic Marlowe almost singlehandedly pushing England into the Renaissance betrays the principles of New Historicism by shortchanging the roles of so many other key players.
—Isaac Butler, The Atlantic, 3 Nov. 2025
Perhaps in an effort to keep a veteran like Myers fresh for when the games count, while also giving Mancini an opportunity to demonstrate his ability to contribute on the penalty kill, the club had Myers shortchanging after defensive-zone draws.
—Thomas Drance, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
The move once again has Trump at odds with Congress’s China hawks, who argue the administration is shortchanging America’s national security interests to make a buck.
—Rebecca Beitsch, The Hill, 13 Aug. 2025
The investigation reveals how Kanai skirted the state’s charitable gaming laws for years while shortchanging the hockey families whose interests he was supposed to serve.
—Kenny Jacoby, USA Today, 17 Mar. 2021
Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Jan. 2026
Some rounded prices down to avoid shortchanging shoppers.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 12 Nov. 2025
Greenblatt’s myth of a Romantic Marlowe almost singlehandedly pushing England into the Renaissance betrays the principles of New Historicism by shortchanging the roles of so many other key players.
—Isaac Butler, The Atlantic, 3 Nov. 2025
Perhaps in an effort to keep a veteran like Myers fresh for when the games count, while also giving Mancini an opportunity to demonstrate his ability to contribute on the penalty kill, the club had Myers shortchanging after defensive-zone draws.
—Thomas Drance, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
The move once again has Trump at odds with Congress’s China hawks, who argue the administration is shortchanging America’s national security interests to make a buck.
—Rebecca Beitsch, The Hill, 13 Aug. 2025
The investigation reveals how Kanai skirted the state’s charitable gaming laws for years while shortchanging the hockey families whose interests he was supposed to serve.
—Kenny Jacoby, USA Today, 17 Mar. 2021
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shortchanging
Verb
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Among the reasons Belichick was not inducted are his involvement in cheating scandals, such as Spygate and Deflategate, according to ESPN.—
Rohan Nadkarni,
NBC news,
6 Feb. 2026
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Cornyn’s campaign responded with a taunt over Paxton’s divorce and cheating scandal.—
Sarah Bahari,
Dallas Morning News,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The solar sector has been grappling with a prolonged price slump and oversupply, squeezing margins even as leading producers continue to add capacity.—
Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
4 Feb. 2026
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For generations, Americans who wanted orange juice without the work of squeezing fresh fruit cracked open a can and watched a cylinder of frozen juice go ker-plunk into a pitcher.—
Dee-Ann Durbin,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
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If out of work, hustling this week and next could open doors.—
Kyle Thomas,
PEOPLE,
11 Jan. 2026
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Students were hustling around campus, coming and going on the penultimate Saturday of the semester.—
Alaa Elassar,
CNN Money,
15 Dec. 2025
Verb
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According to its website, Butcher & Singer is an homage to the glitz and class of 1940s Hollywood, reaching into the past, plucking the best and brightest aspects of a bygone era.—
Courtney Cherry,
CBS News,
6 Feb. 2026
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The Bills scooped up a second Broncos assistant in as many days, plucking Jim Leonhard to lead Joe Brady’s defense.—
Torrey Hart,
New York Times,
1 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Nevertheless, on a clear if cold day the three walked through several inches of snow, screwing in the new signs.—
Jesse Wright,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Feb. 2026
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Cattano suggests screwing mug hooks into the bottom of kitchen cabinets to utilize that space between the cupboards and the countertops.—
Bridget Reed Morawski,
Architectural Digest,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Some sounds could indicate structural changes, so keep an eye on wall cracks and look out for sticking doors and windows.—
Jessica Elliott,
Dallas Morning News,
10 Feb. 2026
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The goal was to give the family’s embryo—Guojun’s sperm and an anonymous donor’s egg—the best odds of sticking during the transfer, which was scheduled for July at Western Fertility Institute, a clinic in Los Angeles.—
Ava Kofman,
New Yorker,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Seattle fans are hoping to erase the stinging memory of Super Bowl 49 – when the Seahawks famously decided not to run from the 1-yard line and saw Malcolm Butler intercept Russell Wilson to seal a 28-24 Patriots win.—
Jacob Camenker,
USA Today,
8 Feb. 2026
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Senior lawmaker Angela Rayner, a popular figure on the left of the party, is still stinging after being forced to resign as deputy prime minister in September for failing to pay enough tax on a home purchase.—
Jill Lawless,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The Seahawks used a first-round bye to rest, heal and prepare, and then routed the 49ers in a divisional-round game before beating the Rams, 31-27, to advance to the Super Bowl.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Feb. 2026
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The Patriots finished 14-3 but defeated only one team with a winning record in the regular season, beating up on the likes of the Jets (twice), Giants, Tennessee Titans, Cleveland Browns and Joe Burrow-less Cincinnati Bengals en route to an AFC East title.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
9 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shortchanging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shortchanging. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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