subtheme
noun
sub·theme
ˈsəb-ˌthēm 
variants
or sub-theme
plural subthemes or sub-themes
: a theme that is secondary to a larger theme
… these three different bodies of work are also bound together by the entwined themes of migration, globalism, and—unexpectedly—portraiture. Subthemes of labour, old age, and surveillance also emerge here.—
Robin Laurence
Robin LaurenceThree themes were ultimately extracted from the data: (a) instructional benefits and implications, (b) complexity, and (c) outlook. Each theme has two to four subthemes that were represented in the data.—Sheri M. Treadwell et al.
Sheri M. Treadwell et al.Examples of subtheme in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Bolton’s show includes a piece by Browne, part of a six-look tableau on a subtheme of sirens.
—Laurie Brookins, The Hollywood Reporter, 29 Apr. 2024
The subtheme involved people negotiating for more time to live.
—Discover Magazine, 19 Nov. 2019
The subtheme included depictions of murder, suicide, and domestic violence resulting in death.
—Discover Magazine, 19 Nov. 2019
One of the subthemes headed into this vote is the staying power of supporters of House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R., La.).
—WSJ, 18 Oct. 2023
This dragon subtheme will be an exciting announcement for Commander players, where dragons like Korvold, the Ur-Dragon, Niv-Mizzet, Arcades and Nicol Bolas are all popular Dragon commanders to build around.
—Joe Parlock, Forbes, 24 June 2021
The oceans — another frontier whose depths have only begun to be plumbed — becomes a subtheme.
—Sheri Linden, The Hollywood Reporter, 4 Sep. 2022
Between dungeons and dice rolling, this might be one of the biggest shakeups to the game since Throne of Eldraine's Adventure mechanic, and the impact a Dragons-matters subtheme will have on formats like Commander is intriguing.
—Joe Parlock, Forbes, 24 June 2021
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Laurie Brookins, The Hollywood Reporter, 29 Apr. 2024
The subtheme involved people negotiating for more time to live.
—Discover Magazine, 19 Nov. 2019
The subtheme included depictions of murder, suicide, and domestic violence resulting in death.
—Discover Magazine, 19 Nov. 2019
One of the subthemes headed into this vote is the staying power of supporters of House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R., La.).
—WSJ, 18 Oct. 2023
This dragon subtheme will be an exciting announcement for Commander players, where dragons like Korvold, the Ur-Dragon, Niv-Mizzet, Arcades and Nicol Bolas are all popular Dragon commanders to build around.
—Joe Parlock, Forbes, 24 June 2021
The oceans — another frontier whose depths have only begun to be plumbed — becomes a subtheme.
—Sheri Linden, The Hollywood Reporter, 4 Sep. 2022
Between dungeons and dice rolling, this might be one of the biggest shakeups to the game since Throne of Eldraine's Adventure mechanic, and the impact a Dragons-matters subtheme will have on formats like Commander is intriguing.
—Joe Parlock, Forbes, 24 June 2021
Cite this Entry
“Subtheme.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/subtheme. Accessed 20 Jul. 2025.
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