shortchanged

Given less due

Shortchanged means cheated out of what you're owed—originally referring to receiving too little change in a transaction, now broadly applied to any situation where someone gets less than they deserve: I felt shortchanged by the whole experience.

The word implies unfairness, whether through deliberate deception or mere circumstance: Budget cuts left the schools shortchanged.

cheated

swindled

Deceived for gain

connedDeceived for gain
scammedCheated through deception
defraudedIllegally deceived for gain

duped · ripped off · fleeced · tricked · deceived · bamboozled · hoodwinked · bilked · gypped · robbed

deprived

underserved

Insufficiently provided for

neglectedNot given proper attention
overlookedNot noticed or considered
deniedRefused or disavowed

withheld · starved · lacking · wanting · bereft · left out · passed over · slighted · skimped · stinted

wronged

unfair

Unjust or partial

unjustNot fair or right
mistreatedHarmed through poor treatment
aggrievedFeeling unjustly wronged

victimized · hard done by · ill-used · exploited · taken for granted · disrespected · slighted · marginalized · disadvantaged

Categories

unfairnessunfair, unjust, biased, unequal, inequitable
povertypoverty line, poor, poverty rate, impoverished, generational poverty
dupeddeceived, tricked, fooled, conned, swindled
Disadvantageddisadvantaged, underprivileged, vulnerable, marginalized, needy

Opposites

fairness of transaction/exchange

shortchangedoverpaid

Compensated beyond worth

overcompensated · made whole · reimbursed

treatment/consideration

shortchangedfavored

Shown special preference

privileged · looked after · taken care of · indulged · spoiled

Family

shortchange, shortchanging, shortchanges

Familiarity: Top 50,000
Profile: Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Negative · Everyday, not technical · Rated G