as in to deduct
to take away (an amount or number) from a total
if you subtract 10 from 23, you get 13 you can subtract the time you spent daydreaming from your total homework time
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Recent Examples of subtract
Points are awarded by zone, from 0 to 5; gutter balls subtract a point, while a ball that kisses the stake earns a perfect 10.
—
Brittany Anas, Denver Post, 3 Apr. 2026
Add up the costs of your basic needs; then subtract that sum from your income.
—Rebecca Safier, USA Today, 3 Apr. 2026
The Bureau of Labor Statistics also revised data, adding an additional 34,000 jobs to January, showing a growth of 160,000, but subtracting 41,000 from February, showing a loss of 133,000.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 3 Apr. 2026
Fely reached the 40-rep mark, but two were deemed not to have reached full extension and were subtracted from his total.
—Darin Oswald, Idaho Statesman, 25 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for subtract
Brittany Anas, Denver Post, 3 Apr. 2026
Add up the costs of your basic needs; then subtract that sum from your income.
—Rebecca Safier, USA Today, 3 Apr. 2026
The Bureau of Labor Statistics also revised data, adding an additional 34,000 jobs to January, showing a growth of 160,000, but subtracting 41,000 from February, showing a loss of 133,000.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 3 Apr. 2026
Fely reached the 40-rep mark, but two were deemed not to have reached full extension and were subtracted from his total.
—Darin Oswald, Idaho Statesman, 25 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for subtract
Recent Examples of Synonyms for subtract
deduct
Verb
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Automatic service fees for large parties at a restaurant cannot be deducted as a qualifying tip, for instance.—
Kamaron McNair,
CNBC,
13 Apr. 2026
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The state’s homestead market-value exclusion program automatically deducts a certain amount of value for the purpose of calculating property taxes.—
Frederick Melo,
Twin Cities,
12 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Subtract.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/subtract. Accessed 14 Apr. 2026.
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