subtractive
adjective
sub·trac·tive
səb-ˈtrak-tiv 
1
: tending to subtract
2
: constituting or involving subtraction
Examples of subtractive in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Maxine used both additive and subtractive painting processes to build textured canvases.
—
Emma Allen, New Yorker, 13 Apr. 2026
The Addition Default In 2021, researchers at the University of Virginia published a study in Nature showing that people systematically overlook subtractive solutions.
—Andrew Siemer, Forbes.com, 26 Mar. 2026
The ability to create subtractive colors between the backlights and the color filters helps lead to higher efficiency for improved brightness, potentially equating to Sony's renowned professional monitors.
—Ryan Waniata, WIRED, 13 Mar. 2025
On its face, and by the sound of it, degrowth is subtractive, which seems bad.
—E. Tammy Kim, The New Yorker, 1 Feb. 2024
See All Example Sentences for subtractive
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Emma Allen, New Yorker, 13 Apr. 2026
The Addition Default In 2021, researchers at the University of Virginia published a study in Nature showing that people systematically overlook subtractive solutions.
—Andrew Siemer, Forbes.com, 26 Mar. 2026
The ability to create subtractive colors between the backlights and the color filters helps lead to higher efficiency for improved brightness, potentially equating to Sony's renowned professional monitors.
—Ryan Waniata, WIRED, 13 Mar. 2025
On its face, and by the sound of it, degrowth is subtractive, which seems bad.
—E. Tammy Kim, The New Yorker, 1 Feb. 2024
See All Example Sentences for subtractive
Cite this Entry
“Subtractive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/subtractive. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
subtractive
adjective
sub·trac·tive
səb-ˈtrak-tiv
: being or involving subtraction
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