subtract

verb

sub·​tract səb-ˈtrakt 

subtracted; subtracting; subtracts

transitive verb

: to take away by or as if by deducting

subtract 5 from 9

subtract funds from the project

intransitive verb

: to perform a subtraction

subtracter noun

Synonyms of subtract

• deduct

Examples of subtract in a Sentence

if you subtract 10 from 23, you get 13

you can subtract the time you spent daydreaming from your total homework time

Recent Examples on the Web

The takeaway for most women is to subtract products, not add them. — Allison Palmer updated June 13, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 June 2026

Gross profit is revenue without subtracting the cost of production expenses. — Los Angeles Times, 17 June 2026

The upward revision can be attributed to a downward revision on imports, which subtracts from GDP. — Elisabeth Buchwald, CNN Money, 25 June 2026

There will be plenty of discourse over the next few weeks, and a lot of negotiating on what could be added or subtracted from the legislation to get this off the Senate floor and into the House. — Trey Wallace, FOXNews.com, 16 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Latin subtractus, past participle of subtrahere to draw from beneath, withdraw, from sub- + trahere to draw

First Known Use

1557, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Rhymes for subtract

• abstract
• attacked
• attract
• contact
• contract
• detract
• distract
• enact
• exact
• extract
• hijacked
• impact

Kids Definition

subtract

verb

sub·​tract səb-ˈtrakt 

1

: to take away (as one part or number) from another : deduct

subtract 5 from 9

2

: to perform a subtraction