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

• abate
• deduct
• knock off
• take off

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

Johnson and Reno passed the track between them, each working separately, adding and subtracting small pieces. —Tom Roland, Billboard, 8 Apr. 2025

This translates to a dramatic reduction in opportunities for walk-on players, and likely subtracting other spots, too. —Mac Engel, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 Apr. 2025

When studio publicity asks a star upfront for something, there’s always another thing that will get subtracted from them in the long run down the road toward a movie’s release. —Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 5 Apr. 2025

Revenues for the three months ended Feb. 2 rose 13 percent to $3.6 billion — an 8 percent increase after subtracting an extra week in the year-ago quarter. —Evan Clark, Footwear News, 27 Mar. 2025

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