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

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

The two moves subtract the best talents from the worst team in Major League Soccer. — Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 28 Aug. 2026

Bauermeister filed a brief a week ago arguing that the full amount of the settlement paid by Campbell Hall should be subtracted from any award the jury decides Scott must pay to Dylan. — Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026

The blue line is the actual MACD and is calculated by subtracting the 26-period exponential moving average (EMA) from the 12-period EMA. — Zev Fima, CNBC, 24 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