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

Tax credits Credits are subtracted directly from your tax bill, dollar for dollar. —Kate Dore, Cfp®, Ea,lorie Konish,kamaron McNair,greg Iacurci,mike Winters,sarah Agostino, CNBC, 29 Mar. 2026

Fely reached the 40-rep mark, but two were deemed not to have reached full extension and were subtracted from his total. —Darin Oswald, Idaho Statesman, 25 Mar. 2026

Credits are subtracted directly from the taxpayer’s tax bill. —Zach Halaschak, The Washington Examiner, 18 Mar. 2026

As expected, Central Catholic (22-3) looked to subtract the center from the game, and did to a degree of success early. —Brendan Connelly, Boston Herald, 16 Mar. 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