subtract
verb
sub·tract
səb-ˈtrakt 
subtracted; subtracting; subtracts
: to take away by or as if by deducting
subtract 5 from 9
subtract funds from the project
: to perform a subtraction
subtracter
noun
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
Heating Degree Days are calculated by taking the day's high temperature and adding it to the day's low temperature, then dividing by 2 and subtracting that value from 65.
—
Irene Wright, USA Today, 9 Feb. 2026
Retirees can now subtract $24,000 in retirement income on their state forms, or double that amount for joint filers.
—Hope Karnopp, jsonline.com, 6 Feb. 2026
The second point is when the planet is hidden behind the star, so the light of just the star can be subtracted from the light of the star and planet together, leaving just the light from the planet.
—Keith Cooper, Space.com, 4 Feb. 2026
Don't hesitate to add or subtract reps to achieve the right amount of effort (more on that below).
—Will Stone, NPR, 31 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for subtract
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Irene Wright, USA Today, 9 Feb. 2026
Retirees can now subtract $24,000 in retirement income on their state forms, or double that amount for joint filers.
—Hope Karnopp, jsonline.com, 6 Feb. 2026
The second point is when the planet is hidden behind the star, so the light of just the star can be subtracted from the light of the star and planet together, leaving just the light from the planet.
—Keith Cooper, Space.com, 4 Feb. 2026
Don't hesitate to add or subtract reps to achieve the right amount of effort (more on that below).
—Will Stone, NPR, 31 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for subtract
Cite this Entry
“Subtract.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/subtract. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids 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
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