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
These start simple enough — addition, subtraction — before escalating to multiplication, division, squares, and roots.
—
Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 29 Apr. 2025
However, in many ways, this is a case of addition by subtraction.
—The Athletic, New York Times, 13 May 2025
The addition of one Utah tight end, however, meant the subtraction of another.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 12 May 2025
The subtraction is only to prevent double-counting, though, since those purchases are already covered in the other terms of the equation.
—The Editors, National Review, 1 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for subtraction
Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 29 Apr. 2025
However, in many ways, this is a case of addition by subtraction.
—The Athletic, New York Times, 13 May 2025
The addition of one Utah tight end, however, meant the subtraction of another.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 12 May 2025
The subtraction is only to prevent double-counting, though, since those purchases are already covered in the other terms of the equation.
—The Editors, National Review, 1 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for subtraction
Recent Examples of Synonyms for subtraction
Noun
-
Long-term tax certainty: Permanent deductions and higher expensing limits provide stability for business planning and investment.—
Sydney Lake,
Fortune,
8 July 2025
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Tax cuts Trump introduced in 2017 would be made permanent, while state and local tax deductions would increase from $10,000 to $40,000—primarily benefiting those living in high-tax states.—
James Bickerton,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 July 2025
Noun
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The most dramatic reduction came for the Honda CR-V, as the vehicle’s hood, mirrors and A-pillars all obstructed a greater portion of the driver’s view over time.—
Tanya Mohn,
Forbes.com,
28 June 2025
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The move could result in layoffs and program reductions across several of its schools, the university said in an announcement.—
Ryan Macasero,
Mercury News,
28 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Subtraction.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/subtraction. Accessed 12 Jul. 2025.
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