Short change is a colloquialism used to mean giving someone less than what they are owed, often detested in daily activities like shopping or transactions. Fortunately, there are plenty of synonyms that can be used in place of short change, such as cheat, swindle, deceive, rip off, or defraud. These words all suggest cheating someone intentionally and giving them less money than they deserve. Other synonyms for short change include undercut, dupe, mislead, con, or stiff. Failing to complete a transaction properly and giving someone less money for the good or service they require may lead to legal action, so it is important to always address concerns and seek solutions.