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

• abate
• deduct
• knock off
• take off

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

But subtracting from their top-five offense might be necessary for the Diamondbacks to improve the pitching. —Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 20 June 2025

The Georgetown Center for Education and the Workforce has calculated the ROI for college degrees by looking at median earnings after graduation and subtracting the average net price of attaining a bachelor’s degree. —Bryan Penprase, Forbes.com, 19 June 2025

The report uses net worth and wealth interchangeably, measured by the value of an individual's financial assets and real assets, including housing, but subtracting their debts. —Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 18 June 2025

Determining net profit requires subtracting all types of operating expenses, everything from rent to salaries, along with taxes that your business must pay to the government. —Mia Taylor, CNBC, 11 June 2025

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