Synonyms of subtraction

subtraction

noun

səb-ˈtrak-shən 

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

• deduction
• reduction
• decline
• drop
• discount
• diminution
• decrement
• shrinkage
• loss
• rebate
• abatement
• diminishment
• detraction
• curtailment
• giveback
• kickback
• cutback
• cut
• fall

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• addition
• increase
• accession
• increment
• gain
• enlargement
• rise
• accumulation
• boost
• raise
• appendix
• supplement
• supplementation
• augmentation
• accrual
• accretion
• addendum

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of subtraction

Do the subtraction, and roughly $17,350 of that car actually belongs to you. — Jennifer Jolly, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026

The bigger business gets built through subtraction, by cutting the offers, clients and activities that made sense at a smaller size but now drain the focus the next level requires. — Tony Pec, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2026

Single-Digit Subtraction This first-grade subtraction worksheet deals with single-digit numbers, which offers a great introduction to important mathematical principles. — Nicole Harris, Parents, 26 Aug. 2026

But the first instinct of an AI-first company should be subtraction. — Stephen Messer, Fortune, 15 Aug. 2026