How to Use subtraction in a Sentence

subtraction

noun
  • The children are learning addition and subtraction.
  • The trades were a good start, a chance to rise more so because of subtraction.
    — Chris Fedor, cleveland.com, 26 Feb. 2018
  • To many fans, his track record is one of far more subtraction than addition.
    — Jon Meoli, baltimoresun.com, 27 May 2021
  • There’s the subtraction of light, when the windows and the curtains are closed.
    — Damon Wise, Deadline, 20 Dec. 2024
  • Here's what to know about mental subtraction—and how to do it yourself in about a minute.
    — Angela Haupt, Time, 23 June 2026
  • The additions come in the wake of some subtraction.
    — David Lyons, Sun Sentinel, 3 June 2026
  • At tax time, filers choose between a tax credit or a tax subtraction.
    — Josh Verges, Twin Cities, 1 Dec. 2019
  • Even if the subtraction is being felt hard in some corners of the clubhouse.
    — Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 10 May 2026
  • Addition by subtraction will be their best bet.
    — Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 6 Feb. 2026
  • If done correctly—and with thought—a belt won’t be a subtraction from the suit’s look, but rather, a plus.
    — Eric Twardzik, Robb Report, 4 Apr. 2023
  • The trees appeared as a subtraction, reflecting their own death as a black void against a less black sky.
    — Ben Taub, The New Yorker, 16 May 2022
  • That’s more good news — addition by subtraction, something a lot of news shows could learn from.
    — Bill Goodykoontz, The Arizona Republic, 28 Sep. 2020
  • The addition and the subtraction quotients don’t seem to make sense.
    — Brande Victorian, The Hollywood Reporter, 30 July 2024
  • The art of subtraction is essential to his skill as a writer and actor.
    — Jeffrey Fleishman, latimes.com, 7 June 2018
  • This set also has a deck for addition and subtraction that his younger brothers can use too.
    — Jessica Fleming, Parents, 10 July 2023
  • Cases of addition by subtraction on the roster are sort of rare.
    — Brad Biggs, Chicago Tribune, 11 Sep. 2024
  • The Marchment subtraction opens up some ice time for Mavrik Bourque.
    — The Athletic Nhl, New York Times, 3 Oct. 2025
  • After some subtraction and some division, James called her and told her that the plans might need to change.
    — Staff Writer follow, Los Angeles Times, 31 Jan. 2023
  • The process of school addition and subtraction will be anything but simple.
    — Dallas News, 18 Jan. 2022
  • This process of subtraction can be illustrated in regions across the world.
    — Jeff Opperman, Forbes, 4 Mar. 2025
  • The addition of the bullet means the subtraction of a linebacker.
    — Stephen Means, cleveland, 20 May 2021
  • With the changing of seasons comes the changing of clocks and the subtraction of an hour of sleep from your nightly schedule.
    — Kale Williams, OregonLive.com, 9 Mar. 2018
  • On the bottom right, a subtraction symbol denotes the record’s title.
    — Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 1 Mar. 2023
  • The ramp subtraction did more than just create fresh fan entrances, open atriums and oceans of vertical space.
    — Tim Newcomb, Forbes, 9 Sep. 2024
  • And on and on, additions, subtractions.
    — Christopher Borrelli, Chicago Tribune, 25 June 2026
  • The story for 60 years, however, has been one of subtraction.
    — Jonathan Kauffman, San Francisco Chronicle, 12 Jan. 2018
  • In many cases, the first transformation will not be subtraction.
    — Rahul Saluja, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026
  • Selling this as addition by subtraction is one thing, and many people can look at the small sample and get behind this.
    — Zach Harper, New York Times, 8 Jan. 2026
  • Just one or two servings of beans daily amounts to a subtraction of less-healthy food options, leading to even more benefits.
    — Becky Upham, EverydayHealth.com, 18 Oct. 2024
  • Did the Mets major in addition or subtraction?
    — Jayson Stark, New York Times, 13 Feb. 2026

Some of these examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'subtraction.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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