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

No ball-knower would say the key to the Seahawks’ success was subtracting Metcalf, who grew frustrated with his role under one-and-done offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb in the season before Sam Darnold arrived. — Jonathan Jones, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026

The loss of rentable space would also subtract tens of thousands of dollars from the building’s annual income. — Brian J. Rogal, Chicago Tribune, 6 Sep. 2026

Copeland’s opinion addressed whether Sami could subtract the cost of goods from his business income and deduct alleged business expenses for a variety of items, including TV and video streaming, marketing events and charitable donations. — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 2 Sep. 2026

That’s after excluding wealth from the top 1% of households, subtracting debts and other liabilities, and deducting retirement spending, charitable donations, taxes, and fees. — Jason Ma, Fortune, 31 Aug. 2026

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