1. involving or characterized by subtraction or the removal of something
2. relating to a process that creates colors by removing or absorbing certain wavelengths of light
Usage: art; printing

Examples

• The artist used a subtractive technique, carving away material to create the sculpture.
• Subtractive color mixing involves removing light wavelengths rather than adding them.
• The subtractive process in printing uses cyan, magenta, and yellow inks.
• His editing approach was subtractive, focusing on what to remove rather than add.
• The subtractive method reduced the complexity of the original design.
• Subtractive manufacturing involves cutting away material from a solid block.