subtraction
noun
sub·trac·tion səb-ˈtrak-shən 
: an act, operation, or instance of subtracting: such as
a
: the withdrawing or withholding of a right to which an individual is entitled
b
: the operation of deducting one number from another
Synonyms
- deduction
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
The children are learning addition and subtraction. the restaurant may not have raised the price, but there's definitely been a subtraction in the number of fries in a side order
Recent Examples on the Web The second decision: Choose subtraction, not addition. 
Arthur C. Brooks, The Atlantic, 26 May 2022 Toddlers will love this game that teaches addition and subtraction. Medea Giordano, Wired, 13 July 2022 In his two greatest presidential speeches, Abraham Lincoln embedded references to important dates that can be understood only by solving subtraction problems. Diana Schaub, National Review, 14 Apr. 2022 In her classroom, students worked through problems in subtraction, addition, multiplication, geometry and area and perimeter on individual computers. al, 6 July 2022 Maybe the Lakers are bluffing and plan to move Westbrook regardless of how minimal the return, which would still count as addition by subtraction in my book. Dylan Hernández, Los Angeles Times, 6 June 2022 Pursuing generativity and subtraction will make the second half of life that much better. Arthur C. Brooks, The Atlantic, 26 May 2022 His subtraction required a corresponding move to reinforce the lineup on the other side of the 99-day lockout. Alex Speier, BostonGlobe.com, 6 Apr. 2022 The venerable Speedway Motel is no more, but that’s addition by subtraction. Dave Kallmann, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 26 May 2022 See More
Arthur C. Brooks, The Atlantic, 26 May 2022 Toddlers will love this game that teaches addition and subtraction. Medea Giordano, Wired, 13 July 2022 In his two greatest presidential speeches, Abraham Lincoln embedded references to important dates that can be understood only by solving subtraction problems. Diana Schaub, National Review, 14 Apr. 2022 In her classroom, students worked through problems in subtraction, addition, multiplication, geometry and area and perimeter on individual computers. al, 6 July 2022 Maybe the Lakers are bluffing and plan to move Westbrook regardless of how minimal the return, which would still count as addition by subtraction in my book. Dylan Hernández, Los Angeles Times, 6 June 2022 Pursuing generativity and subtraction will make the second half of life that much better. Arthur C. Brooks, The Atlantic, 26 May 2022 His subtraction required a corresponding move to reinforce the lineup on the other side of the 99-day lockout. Alex Speier, BostonGlobe.com, 6 Apr. 2022 The venerable Speedway Motel is no more, but that’s addition by subtraction. Dave Kallmann, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 26 May 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English subtraccion, from Anglo-French sustraction, subtraction, from Late Latin subtraction-, subtractio, from Latin subtrahere
First Known Use
15th century, in the meaning defined above
Kids Definition
subtraction
noun
sub·trac·tion səb-ˈtrak-shən
: the act or process of taking one number away from another
subtractions
noun
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 Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- deductions
- reductions
- drops
- declines
- discounts
- diminutions
- rebates
- decrements
- cutbacks
- losses
- givebacks
- shrinkages
- detractions
- falls
- abatements
- curtailments
- diminishments
- kickbacks
- cuts
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- additions
- accessions
- increases
- gains
- increments
- enlargements
- raises
- accumulations
- supplements
- rises
- boosts
- appendices
- accretions
- accruals
- addenda
- appendixes
- augmentations
- addendums
- supplementations