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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Recent Examples of subtraction
Overall, the trade, which is essentially a two-for-one player swap and a one-for-one draft pick swap, gives the Dolphins addition by subtraction.
—
David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 30 June 2025
But to expect the Flyers to meaningfully take steps forward without a significant addition or two by Briere — particularly after two years of roster subtraction — is, to be blunt, ludicrous.
—Kevin Kurz, New York Times, 19 June 2025
Understand Math Research shows that most babies have a basic sense of subtraction.
—Leslie Garisto Pfaff, Parents, 15 May 2025
These start simple enough — addition, subtraction — before escalating to multiplication, division, squares, and roots.
—Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 29 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for subtraction
David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 30 June 2025
But to expect the Flyers to meaningfully take steps forward without a significant addition or two by Briere — particularly after two years of roster subtraction — is, to be blunt, ludicrous.
—Kevin Kurz, New York Times, 19 June 2025
Understand Math Research shows that most babies have a basic sense of subtraction.
—Leslie Garisto Pfaff, Parents, 15 May 2025
These start simple enough — addition, subtraction — before escalating to multiplication, division, squares, and roots.
—Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 29 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for subtraction
Recent Examples of Synonyms for subtraction
Noun
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The maximum $6,000 senior bonus deduction is then reduced by $900 in this example to reach a senior deduction of $5,100.—
Susan Tompor,
USA Today,
21 July 2025
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There are also new deductions for tip income, overtime earnings and car loan interest, with varying eligibility requirements.—
Kate Dore, CFP®, EA,
CNBC,
20 July 2025
Noun
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In 2024, the company achieved a $7/barrel West Texas Intermediate (WTI) breakeven reduction, and its overall breakeven sits ~$45/barrel.—
David Trainer,
Forbes.com,
23 July 2025
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The Bengals’ defensive changes should result in a marginal reduction in production, which moves Burrow just outside of the top three at his position.—
KC Joyner,
New York Times,
23 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Subtraction.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/subtraction. Accessed 3 Aug. 2025.
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