subtract

verb

sub·tract | \ səb-ˈtrakt

subtracted; subtracting; subtracts

Definition of subtract

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

Other Words from subtract Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about subtract

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Synonyms & Antonyms for subtract

Synonyms

abate, deduct, knock off, take off

Antonyms

add, tack (on)

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

As a gilded ear is added or subtracted from a look, assistants enter new information in their laptops while others look on intently. — Hamish Bowles, Vogue, "Inside the Wild World of Gucci’s Alessandro Michele," 15 Apr. 2019 Each year after the decennial head count, the Census Bureau adds and subtracts births and deaths and estimates migration using Medicare enrollment and IRS year-to-year matched tax returns. — Jo Craven Mcginty, WSJ, "How Many People Live on Nantucket? Depends Whom You Ask," 5 Oct. 2018 Here's how to do the necessary calculations: Take your room's width and subtract 3/4 inch for expansion space (because there will be 3/8-inch of space along each wall). — Joesph Truini, Popular Mechanics, "8 Tips for Installing Laminate Flooring," 26 Jan. 2017 Above this exemption, taxable gifts are subtracted from an individual’s lifetime estate- and gift-tax exemption, which is currently $11.4 million per person. — WSJ, "WSJ Tax Guide 2019: Estate and Gift Taxes," 15 Feb. 2019 If Tesla spends $1 million for a piece of equipment, accountants will subtract that full amount from free cash flow in the current quarter. — Timothy B. Lee, Ars Technica, "Tesla’s cash crunch, explained," 26 July 2018 For its second year Genius will encompass 10 collections, with three new names added to the line-up, and one subtracted. — Luke Leitch, Vogue, "A Genius Development: The New Designers—And Dog—Joining Moncler’s Rapidly Expanding Megastructure," 1 Feb. 2019 Others take a different approach, like SunTrust, which subtracts the cost from deposit-account service charges. — Rachel Louise Ensign, WSJ, "These Bank Customers Are Making a Bundle on Their Deposits," 22 June 2018 Buy Photo The Shawnee boys’ basketball team this season subtracted two key players and added two keen assistant coaches. — Phil Anastasia, Philly.com, "Sean Heine and Pat Kernan lead way for Shawnee from sideline," 14 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'subtract.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.