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
And at 27-22, the Warriors were already in need of additions, not subtractions, for a real chance at a deep playoff run.
—
Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 29 Jan. 2026
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
Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 29 Jan. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for subtractions
Noun
-
For the 2025 tax year, the law includes permanently larger standard deductions; lower tax brackets; no federal tax on tips or overtime pay; higher credits and deductions for children and the end of the federal electric vehicle tax credit.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Your refund is calculated based solely on your current tax year's income, deductions, withholding and credits.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
While anticipated, the cutbacks were deeper than expected, resulting in the shutdown of the Post’s renowned sports section, the elimination of its photography staff and sharp reductions in personnel responsible for coverage of metropolitan Washington and overseas.—
David Bauder,
Fortune,
8 Feb. 2026
-
While anticipated, the cutbacks were deeper than expected, resulting in the shutdown of the Post’s renowned sports section, the elimination of its photography staff and sharp reductions in personnel responsible for coverage of metropolitan Washington and overseas.—
David Bauder,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Subtractions.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/subtractions. Accessed 13 Feb. 2026.
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