deduct

verb

de·​duct di-ˈdəkt How to pronounce deduct (audio)
dē-
deducted; deducting; deducts
Synonyms of deductnext

transitive verb

1
: to take away (an amount) from a total : subtract
2
: deduce, infer

Synonyms of deduct

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Examples of deduct in a Sentence

You can deduct up to $500 for money given to charity. after deducting taxes, what's left is your net pay for the week
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Under the bill, once a court ruling is final, the money could be deducted from family allowances and housing aid. — Thomas Adamson, Los Angeles Times, 30 Oct. 2026 In general, gambling winnings are taxable as ordinary income, and gambling losses can be deducted only to the extent of winnings. — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 27 Oct. 2026 Federal policy now allows businesses to deduct domestic research costs immediately, leaving more capital available for engineers, prototypes, and equipment. — Rick Lazio, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026 Participants earned up to five points for sitting and five for rising with points deducted for losing balance or using a hand, knee, forearm or side of the leg for support. — Dana Santas, CNN Money, 20 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for deduct

Word History

Etymology

Latin deductus, past participle of deducere

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of deduct was in the 15th century

Rhymes for deduct

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Browse Nearby Words

deducible
deduct
deductibility
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Cite this Entry

“Deduct.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deduct. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

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Kids Definition

deduct

verb
de·​duct di-ˈdəkt How to pronounce deduct (audio)
: to take away (an amount) from a total : subtract
deductible
-ˈdək-tə-bəl
adjective

Legal Definition

deduct

transitive verb
de·​duct
: to take away (an amount) from a total
specifically : to take as a deduction
must be capitalized…rather than immediately deducted —D. Q. Posin
compare amortize
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