deduction

noun

di-ˈdək-shən How to pronounce deduction (audio)
Definition of deductionnext
1
as in reduction
something that is or may be subtracted contestants get a deduction from their scores for every incorrect guess

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in subtraction
the act or an instance of taking away from a total the deduction of the amount awarded to the plaintiff in order to pay the legal fees

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in inference
an opinion arrived at through a process of reasoning his impressive deduction of the correct answer from only a few hints

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of deduction That client's business expense deductions totaled nearly $53,000. — Logan Smith, CBS News, 27 Sep. 2026 Amaral listed some of the other advantages of co-producing with Brazil, including production services at lower rates, incredibly high-quality crews, and tax deductions and incentives in certain states. — Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 25 Sep. 2026 In this example, there wouldn’t be any deduction if charitable gifts are less than the $2,000 floor. — Kate Dore, Cfp®, Ea, CNBC, 24 Sep. 2026 Meanwhile, Republicans are hoping that voters will reward them for the tax cuts in their domestic policy megabill, like deductions for overtime and tips. — Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 23 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for deduction
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deduction
  1. reduction
  2. subtraction
  3. inference
  4. discount
  5. determination
  6. conclusion
Noun
  • Twin Cities Marathon reported similar information, though without detailed analysis of risk reduction methods.
    — Vibhu Krishna, STAT, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Staff reductions are expected to be brutal, and with so many duplicative roles across HBO Max and Paramount+, many talented executives will lose their jobs.
    — Josef Adalian, Vulture, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of reduction
Noun
  • Chryssa Ntalaka’s classroom has become an object lesson in subtraction.
    — LEFTERIS PITARAKIS, Fortune, 5 Oct. 2026
  • For the Ducks to match that, their summer additions will have to add up to more than the subtractions.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 27 Sep. 2026
Definition of subtraction
Noun
  • The assumed inference is that travelers rely on Google for their travel needs and that informative brochures and knowledgeable attendants are a quaint idea that has outlived its usefulness.
    — Frank Hosek, Chicago Tribune, 2 Oct. 2026
  • According to McKinsey, inference is set to surpass training as the most dominant workload in AI data centers by the end of the decade.
    — Isabel O'Brien, CNBC, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of inference
Noun
  • The weekend before, there will specials aplenty, Alarcon-Frohman promises, such as BOGO admissions and discount codes.
    — Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 1 Oct. 2026
  • By the time competitors start pushing discounts, our clients are already part of the buyer’s decision process.
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of discount
Noun
  • But the investigation is ongoing, and no final determination has been made.
    — Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Colfax Mayor Caroline McCully said the opening represents the culmination of years of work and determination by people who believed in the project and the community.
    — Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of determination
Noun
  • And your job as a writer is to put some order onto those pieces, but not necessarily to draw some giant conclusion about them.
    — Elisabeth Garber-Paul, Rolling Stone, 3 Oct. 2026
  • The league, however, did not publicly identify the standard used to reach that conclusion.
    — Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of conclusion

Browse Nearby Words

deducting
deduction
deductions
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Cite this Entry

“Deduction.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deduction. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on deduction

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about deduction

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