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

But, Montreal was able to add Danault without subtracting anyone because the Canadiens had the cap space to do it. —Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 21 Dec. 2025

True productivity requires us to stop subtracting humans and start solving for the convergence of equity, economics, and engineering. —Katica Roy, Fortune, 18 Dec. 2025

For example, if a married couple makes $120,000, their taxable income could easily fall below $96,700 after subtracting the $31,500 standard deduction. —Kate Dore, Cfp®, Ea, CNBC, 12 Dec. 2025

The ruling also allowed for additional special education funds to be subtracted from the annual operating budget when calculating funding for charter schools. —Jt Moodee Lockman, CBS News, 10 Dec. 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