as in deductions
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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Recent Examples of subtractions
The factors considered when assigning the grade for future outlook were potential new voices/subtractions in the front office and coaching staff, cap space to work with this offseason and draft picks available in 2026 and 2027.
—
Saad Yousuf, New York Times, 15 Jan. 2026
Everything has fallen into place this offseason as the Nuggets prepare to hold their media day on Monday, starting with the subtractions.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 25 Sep. 2025
Now, last minute additions (and subtractions), especially with really large yachts like MAR are pretty common at this stage before the show.
—Bill Springer, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
The Philadelphia Phillies lost a second straight game to the New York Mets on Tuesday and that was preceded by some surprising roster subtractions.
—Peter Chawaga, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Aug. 2025
Saad Yousuf, New York Times, 15 Jan. 2026
Everything has fallen into place this offseason as the Nuggets prepare to hold their media day on Monday, starting with the subtractions.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 25 Sep. 2025
Now, last minute additions (and subtractions), especially with really large yachts like MAR are pretty common at this stage before the show.
—Bill Springer, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
The Philadelphia Phillies lost a second straight game to the New York Mets on Tuesday and that was preceded by some surprising roster subtractions.
—Peter Chawaga, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for subtractions
Noun
-
Employers will begin separately reporting these amounts in future years, but for now the IRS is allowing multiple documentation methods to ensure taxpayers can claim the deductions accurately.—
Emma Waldman,
Forbes.com,
24 Jan. 2026
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The abolition of the wealth tax (förmögenhetsskatten) 20 years ago is part of this story – along with, in the same year, the introduction of generous tax deductions for housework and home improvement projects.—
Miranda Sheild Johansson,
Fortune,
22 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Even short-term or partial reductions in alcohol intake can benefit your heart, liver, and metabolic health.—
Lindsey DeSoto,
Health,
8 Jan. 2026
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However, the pace of reductions is expected to slow considerably this year, with markets pricing in just two cuts and the most recent projections from Fed officials pointing to just one.—
Jeff Cox,Eamon Javers,
CNBC,
8 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Subtractions.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/subtractions. Accessed 25 Jan. 2026.
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