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

Briere said the Flyers' rebuild was entering its next phase, shifting from subtracting players to adding them. —Tom Dougherty, CBS News, 14 Apr. 2026

If Brown is traded pre-June 1, the Eagles would take on $43 million in dead money and subtract $20 million from their salary cap space. —Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 13 Apr. 2026

Demerits are subtracted from a starting score of 100, which is considered perfect. —Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Apr. 2026

The calculation also subtracts income from Roth conversions and retirement plan rollovers. —Kate Dore, Cfp®, Ea, CNBC, 8 Apr. 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