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

Calculate your current net worth by listing your assets and subtracting your liabilities. —Melissa Houston, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025

Projections are that this will amount to $139 million to be subtracted from the overall 2% funding for K-12 public schools. —Dr. Tony Lux, Chicago Tribune, 29 Mar. 2025

The total on line 4 will be added to any other itemized deductions and subtracted from your adjusted gross income to reduce your taxable income for the year. —Brian Sloan, CNBC, 24 Mar. 2025

Andrews worked with sponsor La Sportiva on a modular system to easily add and subtract layers as temperatures shift. —Jayme Moye, Outside Online, 21 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