subject

1 of 2

verb

sub·​ject səb-ˈjekt 

ˈsəb-ˌjekt

subjected; subjecting; subjects

transitive verb

1

a

: to bring under control or dominion : subjugate

b

: to make (someone, such as oneself) amenable to the discipline and control of a superior

2

: to make liable : predispose

3

: to cause or force to undergo or endure (something unpleasant, inconvenient, or trying)

was subjected to constant verbal abuse

subjection

səb-ˈjek-shən 

noun

subjection

2 of 2

noun

sub·​jec·​tion (ˌ)səbˈjekshən 

plural -s

1

a

obsolete : the exercise of lordship or control : lordly sway or rule

b

: the act of subduing or subjecting : subjugation

planned the subjection of the rebels

determined on the subjection of his baser nature

2

: the quality or state of being subject and especially under the power, control, or government of another

the general subjection of women prior to the 20th century

: such as

a

obsolete : obedient submissiveness : subordination

b

archaic : a legal obligation (as by contract or pledge) to submit to the will of another : homage

c

archaic : the condition of being under obligation or liability

3

: attachment of a subject to a predicate in logic compare predication

Synonyms of subject

Verb

• dominate
• subdue
• conquer
• overcome
• defeat
• subordinate

Examples of subject in a Sentence

Verb

Attila the Hun subjected most of Europe to his barbaric pillage.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Capitol police officers have sued over the initiative in a Washington, DC federal court, saying the fund could further embolden people who have already subjected them to harassment and death threats. —Aysha Bagchi, USA Today, 5 June 2026

Such orders are intended to prevent an individual from subjecting another person to acts of violence, intimidation or harassment. —ABC News, 3 June 2026

Having stuck with him through unfair scrutiny, Democrats then subjected him to fair scrutiny — questions about whether a man who struggled to perform the public duties of a president could do them into his late 80s. —David Weigel, semafor.com, 3 June 2026

Digwa then claimed in bodycam footage released by police that Nowak had grabbed his turban and subjected him to racist abuse. —Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 3 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English subjeccioun, from Middle French subjection, from Late Latin subjection-, subjectio, from Latin, act of bringing under, from subjectus (past participle of subjicere, subicere to bring under) + -ion-, -io -ion

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing subject

• change the subject
• drop the subject
• get on/onto the subject of
• short subject
• subject matter
• subject/object of ridicule
• subject to
• subject to change
• subject to review
• tool subject
• to subject (someone or something) to

Rhymes for subject

• affect
• aspect
• bedecked
• bisect
• collect
• connect
• correct
• deflect
• detect
• direct
• dissect
• effect

Kids Definition

subject

1 of 3 noun

sub·​ject ˈsəb-jikt 

1

a

: a person under the authority or control of another

b

: a person who owes loyalty to a monarch or state

2

a

: a department of knowledge or learning

b

: an individual (as a person or a mouse) that is studied or experimented on

c

: the person or thing discussed : topic

the subject of an essay

3

: a noun or term functioning as a noun about which something is stated in the predicate of a sentence

"child" in "the child threw the ball" is the subject

subject

2 of 3 adjective

1

: owing obedience or loyalty to another

2

a

: likely to be affected by

subject to temptation

b

: having a tendency

subject to catching colds

3

: depending on

subject to your approval

subject

3 of 3 verb

sub·​ject səb-ˈjekt 

1

a

: to bring under control or rule

b

: to make responsive to the discipline and control of a superior

2

: to make likely

his poor conduct subjected him to criticism

3

: to cause or force to put up with something difficult, unpleasant, or inconvenient

unwilling to subject us to embarrassment

subjection

səb-ˈjek-shən 

noun

Medical Definition

subject

noun

sub·​ject ˈsəb-jikt 

1

: an individual whose reactions or responses are studied

2

: a dead body for anatomical study and dissection

Legal Definition

subject

noun

sub·​ject ˈsəb-ˌjekt 

: the person upon whose life a life insurance policy is written and upon whose death the policy is payable : insured compare beneficiary sense b, policyholder