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

The Republic adjusts this by subtracting the value of current-year options and stock awards that haven't yet been cashed in or vested. — Russ Wiles, azcentral, "Pay for Arizona CEOs hit a new record in 2018 — see who made the most," 27 June 2019 Reservations require a $50 per person deposit, which is subtracted from their balance due on the day of their jump. — Houston Chronicle, "Get the thrills with sky-high experiences," 14 June 2019 And now, another station will be subtracted from the syndication total. — Philip Potempa, Post-Tribune, "After nearly two decades, region radio dropping Bob & Tom Show," 12 June 2019 On a graph, subtracting the values of connected points is the appropriate analog of taking a derivative, which is, after all, the difference of two values infinitely close together. — Quanta Magazine, "The Tricky Translation of Mathematical Ideas," 28 June 2017 Revisions subtracted 75,000 jobs from the prior two months, bringing the three-month average to 151,000. — oregonlive.com, "Job and wage growth slows as trade war weighs on economy," 7 June 2019 Ships add and subtract ports often, such as when a hurricane is hurtling toward the region or an island is recovering from a natural disaster. — Andrea Sachs, Washington Post, "What the new Cuba travel restrictions mean for tourists," 6 June 2019 Round numbers are handy—they’re easy to add, subtract and remember. — Louise Lee, WSJ, "Round Numbers Can Hurt Crowdfunding Campaigns," 28 Apr. 2019 The usual way to calculate the social returns of higher education is to sum up all the graduate premiums and subtract any public subsidies. — The Economist, "All must have degreesGoing to university is more important than ever for young people," 3 Feb. 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.