underpay

American

[uhn-der-pey] / ˌʌn dərˈpeɪ /

verb (used with object)

underpaid, underpaying

to pay less than is deserved or usual.

underpay British

/ ˌʌndəˈpeɪ /

verb

to pay (someone) insufficiently

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

underpayment noun

Etymology

Origin of underpay

First recorded in 1840–50; under- + pay ¹

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.

White said he collects CDs to escape the domination of streaming services, which he believes underpay artists and have inconsistent offerings.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 6, 2025

We found that insurers often block care, underpay mental health providers and make it hard for patients to find help — sometimes with deadly consequences.

From Salon • Aug. 19, 2025

The report also found passengers who had forgotten their railcard were often penalised, though it said it was difficult for rail staff to determine genuine mistakes from those who chose to deliberately underpay.

From BBC • Jun. 3, 2025

And officials say it does not make sense for an anti-poverty program, where people of color make up 60% of the workforce, to underpay its employees.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 2, 2024

I am inexperienced in the matter of wages, but I feel sure that you either employ inferior workwomen or that you underpay them.

From Patty's Success by Wells, Carolyn

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023