as in to deduct
to take away (an amount or number) from a total
if you subtract 10 from 23, you get 13 you can subtract the time you spent daydreaming from your total homework time
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Recent Examples of subtract
Japan could then subtract those emissions from its total carbon output.
—
ABC News, 17 Feb. 2026
It was calculated by subtracting the average net price of the school according to College Scorecard, or the average cost to those receiving financial aid, from the average earnings each year after enrollment.
—Sasha Allen, Hartford Courant, 15 Feb. 2026
For taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2025, 65% of the amount of Social Security benefits received and included in federal AGI may be subtracted.
—Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 15 Feb. 2026
In 2025, the BLS subtracted almost 600,000 jobs from the 2024 total employment gain.
—Sylvan Lane, The Hill, 11 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for subtract
ABC News, 17 Feb. 2026
It was calculated by subtracting the average net price of the school according to College Scorecard, or the average cost to those receiving financial aid, from the average earnings each year after enrollment.
—Sasha Allen, Hartford Courant, 15 Feb. 2026
For taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2025, 65% of the amount of Social Security benefits received and included in federal AGI may be subtracted.
—Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 15 Feb. 2026
In 2025, the BLS subtracted almost 600,000 jobs from the 2024 total employment gain.
—Sylvan Lane, The Hill, 11 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for subtract
Recent Examples of Synonyms for subtract
deduct
Verb
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They will automatically be deducted at checkout.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Feb. 2026
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As things stand with a dozen matches still to play, Wednesday are on course to finish the season with a minus points total, seven of the 18 points deducted for breaches of financial rules last autumn yet to be reclaimed by a team who have scored just twice since Boxing Day.—
Richard Sutcliffe,
New York Times,
26 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Subtract.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/subtract. Accessed 4 Mar. 2026.
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