as in deduction
the act or an instance of taking away from a total
the restaurant may not have raised the price, but there's definitely been a subtraction in the number of fries in a side order
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of subtraction
What the research says about mental subtraction The technique has a cinematic origin.
—
Angela Haupt,
Time,
23 June 2026
The Administration’s strategy seems to hinge on a fantasy of radical subtraction—removing people who would dilute the country’s white majority.
—
Jonathan Blitzer,
New Yorker,
7 June 2026
The additions come in the wake of some subtraction.
—
David Lyons,
Sun Sentinel,
3 June 2026
What many people don’t realize is that the academic subject of mathematics is not about doing quick sums and subtractions in your head.
—
Manon Bischoff,
Scientific American,
26 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for subtraction
Angela Haupt,
Time,
23 June 2026
The Administration’s strategy seems to hinge on a fantasy of radical subtraction—removing people who would dilute the country’s white majority.
—
Jonathan Blitzer,
New Yorker,
7 June 2026
The additions come in the wake of some subtraction.
—
David Lyons,
Sun Sentinel,
3 June 2026
What many people don’t realize is that the academic subject of mathematics is not about doing quick sums and subtractions in your head.
—
Manon Bischoff,
Scientific American,
26 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for subtraction
Recent Examples of Synonyms for subtraction
Noun
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That shift can mean a lower standard deduction and narrower brackets, raising taxes even when expenses haven't dropped.
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Without the match sweetening the deal, the argument for prioritizing retirement contributions over debt payoff weakens somewhat — though the tax deduction on traditional 401(k) contributions still has value.
Noun
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In Cañon City, Colorado, authorities are aiming for a 20% to 30% reduction in water use while asking residents to voluntarily conserve outdoor water consumption.
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Voltage reductions were also happening earlier in the day in parts of Staten Island, Queens, the Bronx, Brooklyn and Westchester, Con Edison spokesperson Jamie McShane told CNN.
Cite this Entry
“Subtraction.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/subtraction. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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