THEME Synonyms: 79 Similar and Opposite Words

theme

noun

ˈthēm

Definition of theme

as in topic

a major object of interest or concern (as in a discussion or artistic composition) this dance piece deals with the timeless themes of birth and death

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in article

a short piece of writing done as a school exercise please write a one page theme on the main character of this book

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in essay

a short piece of writing typically expressing a point of view the magazine will award a scholarship to the student who writes the best theme on the concept of personal freedom

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of theme But as the movie awkwardly pivots to weighty themes like forgiveness, honor and grief, the initial sparks of subversiveness fizzle out. — Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026 Failing at proper washing seemed a theme throughout this inspection. — David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 16 Oct. 2026 McDonald's Halloween Boo Buckets are coming back with a Disney Villains theme. — ABC News, 16 Oct. 2026 In terms of my book and the film, the themes are the same, but the episodes change. — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 15 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for theme

Recent Examples of Synonyms for theme

Noun

The conversations remained cordial, despite vehement disagreements at times, with Talarico and the voters engaging in polite small talk before delving into, at times, heavy topics.

— Lauren Green, The Washington Examiner, 15 Oct. 2026
Caporael, who had explored the topic through the lens of the scientific method, wasn’t claiming to know what had happened at Salem.

— Jennifer Byrne, Popular Science, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of topic

Noun

Kaia’s post included photos and videos of her and her brother from childhood, along with a lyric essay about their relationship.

— Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 19 Oct. 2026
In my disturbance—whether witnessed by a fellow cinema patron or a reader of this essay—I am exposed a second time.

— Eugenie Brinkema, ARTnews.com, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of essay

Noun

Each section of the crest pays tribute to the club, the city of Barcelona and the region of Catalonia, through motifs that include the Saint George’s Cross, the Senyera (the Catalan flag) and a vintage-style soccer ball.

— Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 19 Oct. 2026
The same questions and ideas and motifs haunt you for the rest of your life.

— Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of motif

Noun

Lamy, now with the Jacques Delors Institute, was one of the authors of a recent policy paper that called for restrictions on Chinese exports using a quota system — an idea that the EU has now embraced.

— semafor.com, semafor.com, 20 Oct. 2026
But the cells that make it, called ameloblasts, break down once a tooth erupts, and a 2014 paper in the Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research explains that mature enamel no longer contains the living cells needed to repair itself.

— Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of paper

Noun

The choice of materials, their adhesion and the design of the part all matter.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 17 Oct. 2026
When the plant roots encounter an area acidified by decaying plant matter—a chemical gradient distinct from that of animal matter—ABA builds up on the side facing the rot, encouraging growth in the other direction.

— Joanna Thompson, Scientific American, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of matter

Noun

After the boutique’s statement, Clarkson doubled down on her claims on her Instagram stories with photos featuring a price tag on the bird that contradicted the shop’s first statement.

— Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026
Some economists, including researchers at the Minneapolis Fed, argue the data don’t tell such a clean story.

— Molly A. Wallace, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of story

Noun

Get timely insight into the cases, rulings, and constitutional questions defining America’s legal landscape.

— Washington Examiner, The Washington Examiner, 17 Oct. 2026
Most questions were friendly and business-centric, but Marshall also gave his opinion on several polarizing issues, including federal immigration enforcement, tariffs and the war in Iran.

— Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of question

Browse Nearby Words

(the) masses

theme

themes

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Style

“Theme.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/theme. Accessed 22 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of theme

noun

Example Sentences

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