Synonyms of subject

subject 1 of 3

noun

ˈsəb-jikt 

1

as in topic

a major object of interest or concern (as in a discussion or artistic composition)

the subject of our discussion switched from who would be the next president to who was the greatest president in the nation's history

Synonyms & Similar Words

• topic
• matter
• theme
• question
• motif
• content
• essence
• idea
• motive
• issue
• purpose
• problem
• subject matter
• consideration
• basis
• substance
• core
• fundamental
• bulk
• heart
• count
• point
• body
• burden
• sum
• gist
• mass
• essential
• main
• debate
• crux
• nucleus
• staple
• net
• argument
• talking point
• kernel
• generality
• marrow
• pivot
• purport
• affair
• centerpiece
• bottom
• grist
• pith
• keynote
• quick
• nub
• essentiality
• nubbin

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• aside
• tangent
• excursion
• digression
• parenthesis
• interjection

2

as in citizen

a person who owes allegiance to a government and is protected by it

because of the tense situation in that country, British subjects were advised to return home as soon as possible

Synonyms & Similar Words

• citizen
• national
• freeman
• resident
• inhabitant
• countryman
• native
• nonimmigrant
• compatriot

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• alien
• stranger
• foreigner
• noncitizen
• immigrant
• nonnative

3

as in reason

something (as a belief) that serves as the basis for another thing

he has no subject to protest this time, but that's never stopped him before

Synonyms & Similar Words

• reason
• grounds
• motive
• why
• authority
• cause
• consideration
• account
• wherefore
• impetus
• occasion
• stimulus
• incentive
• inspiration
• antecedent
• instigation

subject

2 of 3

verb

səb-ˈjekt 

as in to dominate

to bring under one's control by force of arms

Attila the Hun subjected most of Europe to his barbaric pillage

Synonyms & Similar Words

• dominate
• subdue
• conquer
• overcome
• defeat
• subordinate
• reduce
• subjugate
• enslave
• vanquish
• overpower
• crush
• pacify
• beat
• prevail (over)
• triumph (over)
• mow (down)
• lick
• suppress
• rout
• annihilate
• whip
• smash
• quell
• silence
• put down
• thrash
• quash
• crack down (on)
• trounce
• clobber
• squelch
• snuff (out)
• repress
• smother
• squash
• clamp down (on)
• wallop
• break
• skunk
• drub

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• release
• free
• discharge
• spring
• liberate
• emancipate
• manumit
• enfranchise
• unbind
• unfetter
• unchain
• uncage

subject

3 of 3

adjective

as in dependent

Related Words

• dependent
• bound
• unfree
• captive
• nonautonomous
• subjugated
• conquered
• fettered
• subordinate
• subdued
• non-self-governing
• enslaved
• subservient
• inferior

Dissimilar Words

• separate
• independent
• free
• sovereign
• autonomous
• freestanding
• released
• self-governing
• freeborn
• redeemed
• delivered
• self-ruling
• self-governed
• liberated
• freed
• emancipated
• manumitted

Synonym Chooser

How is the word subject distinct from other similar nouns?

The words citizen and national are common synonyms of subject. While all three words mean "a person owing allegiance to and entitled to the protection of a sovereign state," subject implies allegiance to a personal sovereign such as a monarch.

the king's subjects

When would citizen be a good substitute for subject?

In some situations, the words citizen and subject are roughly equivalent. However, citizen is preferred for one owing allegiance to a state in which sovereign power is retained by the people and sharing in the political rights of those people.

the rights of a free citizen

When is national a more appropriate choice than subject?

The synonyms national and subject are sometimes interchangeable, but national designates one who may claim the protection of a state and applies especially to one living or traveling outside that state.

American nationals working in the Middle East

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of subject

Noun

The subject of the kiss-and-cry is not such a debate at the senior level, where athletes are essentially professionals. —Dave Skretta, Chicago Tribune, 15 Feb. 2026

This combined with a raft of positive reviews for Araújo’s handling of the tough subject, has landed it a slot in early awards prediction lists. —Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 14 Feb. 2026

Verb

The environmental group has argued that the exchange of funds between the state and federal governments is the trigger that would subject the Everglades detention center to environmental impact assessment regulations. —Miami Herald, 6 Feb. 2026

The process begins by collecting raw gas from waste sites and subjecting it to a rigorous desulfurization stage to remove corrosive sulfur compounds. —Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 5 Feb. 2026

Adjective

Grades aren’t everything — mastery is At the core of every successful college application is real subject mastery. —Gerald Bradshaw, Chicago Tribune, 3 Feb. 2026

This includes developing agentic AI for subject-matter experts and revolutionizing the entertainment industry with AI video generation, Cordwell wrote. —Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 26 Jan. 2026

Phrases Containing subject

• subject (to)
• subject matter