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

While this context might not subtract from the beauty of the film, audiences today are approaching it with a distinct lens. —Leah Asmelash, CNN Money, 19 Apr. 2025

Residents there would have $1,770 left over after subtracting money for their monthly expenditures. —Anne Marie D. Lee, CBS News, 16 Apr. 2025

Through the end of February, the agency had received about $100 million from the toll program, and after the costs of collection and such are subtracted, the end-of-year take should be around the projection of $500 million. —Christopher Bonanos, Curbed, 15 Apr. 2025

The fast start has all but ensured that Preller will be looking to strengthen this team’s World Series bid, not to subtract from it. —Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Apr. 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