subtractive
adjective
sub·trac·tive
səb-ˈtrak-tiv 
1
: tending to subtract
2
: constituting or involving subtraction
Examples of subtractive in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
On its face, and by the sound of it, degrowth is subtractive, which seems bad.
—
E. Tammy Kim, The New Yorker, 1 Feb. 2024
But of course nothing like that could have happened, and the actual process was subtractive rather than additive.
—Jared Diamond, Discover Magazine, 11 Nov. 2019
That eliminates the specialized and time-consuming CNC programming that’s required for the subtractive process. Mantle has worked with a number of parts producers to evaluate and validate its materials and technology, including Tessy Plastics and a global medical device manufacturer.
—Jim Vinoski, Forbes, 21 Sep. 2021
Tragedy often exerts a subtractive centrifugal force on a family, spinning apart and severing the bonds of those who remain.
—Laura Van Straaten, Town & Country, 25 Feb. 2023
Ultimately, the collaboration feels mutually subtractive.
—Michael Andor Brodeur, Washington Post, 14 Dec. 2022
Additive genetic variance just means the variants which have additive or subtractive values to the trait value (or, they can be transformed as such).
—Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 9 June 2011
One of the more peculiar features of Morris’ art is that her compositions feel subtractive rather than additive.
—Christopher Knight, Los Angeles Times, 19 Nov. 2022
Among the 338 people tested with these simple instructions, only 90 provided a single subtractive idea in their list of all possible improvements to the miniature golf hole.
—Leidy Klotz, Scientific American, 12 May 2022
E. Tammy Kim, The New Yorker, 1 Feb. 2024
But of course nothing like that could have happened, and the actual process was subtractive rather than additive.
—Jared Diamond, Discover Magazine, 11 Nov. 2019
That eliminates the specialized and time-consuming CNC programming that’s required for the subtractive process. Mantle has worked with a number of parts producers to evaluate and validate its materials and technology, including Tessy Plastics and a global medical device manufacturer.
—Jim Vinoski, Forbes, 21 Sep. 2021
Tragedy often exerts a subtractive centrifugal force on a family, spinning apart and severing the bonds of those who remain.
—Laura Van Straaten, Town & Country, 25 Feb. 2023
Ultimately, the collaboration feels mutually subtractive.
—Michael Andor Brodeur, Washington Post, 14 Dec. 2022
Additive genetic variance just means the variants which have additive or subtractive values to the trait value (or, they can be transformed as such).
—Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 9 June 2011
One of the more peculiar features of Morris’ art is that her compositions feel subtractive rather than additive.
—Christopher Knight, Los Angeles Times, 19 Nov. 2022
Among the 338 people tested with these simple instructions, only 90 provided a single subtractive idea in their list of all possible improvements to the miniature golf hole.
—Leidy Klotz, Scientific American, 12 May 2022
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'subtractive.' 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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Cite this Entry
“Subtractive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/subtractive. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
subtractive
adjective
sub·trac·tive
səb-ˈtrak-tiv
: being or involving subtraction
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