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Definition of underpay
underpay
/ˌʌndərˈpeɪ/
un · der · pay
Adjective:underpaid
•Past Simple:underpaid
•Past Participle:underpaid
•Present Participle:underpaying
underpay Lexical Profile
CEFR
B2
Grade
6
Tier
2
Usage
Top 10k
Syllables
3
underpay Game Scores & Validity
Scrabble US
Scrabble UK
WWF
Wordle Guess
• verb
1
To pay a worker less than is fair, deserved, or legally required for their labor.
Example
"Many critics argue that large corporations systematically underpay their entry-level staff while executive bonuses continue to rise."
2
To pay an insufficient amount toward a bill, tax, debt, or financial obligation.
Example
"If you accidentally underpay your estimated quarterly taxes, the government may charge a small interest penalty."
Synonyms
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View all antonyms for underpay• Rhymes for underpay
• Nearby Words
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.
180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Underpay. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/underpay