subject 1 of 3

1
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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

subject

2 of 3

verb

subject

3 of 3

adjective

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

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 subject
Noun
Not as journalist and subject, but as friends. John J. Lennon, Rolling Stone, 23 Sep. 2025 Instead of just contracting with subject experts for copyright of material, now professionals have to consider licensing their likeness and voice for specific use. Tracy King, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
Verb
Stephen—unlike Duras, whose family was white and from France—grew up experiencing the tensions of colonialism from the other side, as an ethnically Chinese subject of British rule. Richard Brody, New Yorker, 2 Oct. 2025 But, in a lot of ways, Ed Gein, the subject of the newest season in the horror anthology series about real-life killers, is the original monster. Lauren Huff, Entertainment Weekly, 2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
Since the start of Russia’s invasion in 2022, Putin has been transparent about his objective—the destruction of Ukraine as an independent nation—and has subjected many people to almost unimaginable suffering in order to achieve it. Andriy Zagorodnyuk, Foreign Affairs, 23 Sep. 2025 Ironically, Aenlle’s lawsuit mirrors much of that same language, alleging the county subjected him to the same pattern of retaliation, intimidation and harassment. Ryan MacAsero, Mercury News, 19 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for subject
Recent Examples of Synonyms for subject
Noun
  • Support journalism that digs deeper into topics that matter most to Arkansans.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 2 Oct. 2025
  • Those were all topics discussed at a forum for Republican candidates running to represent Kentucky's 6th Congressional District.
    Hannah Pinski, Louisville Courier Journal, 2 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Freedom of speech Alvarado said free speech on college campuses must be defended, and citizens should continue to have conversations on disagreements.
    Hannah Pinski, Louisville Courier Journal, 2 Oct. 2025
  • This Committee was initially created during the McCarthy Era, a dark time when the federal government repressed and persecuted American citizens for their political beliefs.
    Greg Evans, Deadline, 1 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Voters also tend to lean more nationalist and conservative during economic downturns, said Hajime Kidera, a professor at Meiji University’s School of Political Science and Economics – which is one reason Abe was so popular during the post-recession early 2010s.
    Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 3 Oct. 2025
  • The executive branch does not normally use the shutdown as a reason for layoffs.
    Sarah D. Wire, USA Today, 3 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The same applies to coders and writers, who dominate AI adoption rates on platforms like Claude, the researchers found.
    Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 2 Oct. 2025
  • Phillipe Chow adds to downtown Nashville's fine-dining scene Its arrival underscores the transformation of a downtown dining scene once dominated by honky-tonks and quick bites.
    Mackensy Lunsford, Nashville Tennessean, 2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Sports betting operators have no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage.
    Jacob Camenker, USA Today, 5 Oct. 2025
  • Fiscal responsibility for quality transportation was complicated and often dependent on public funding.
    Menika Dirkson, The Conversation, 3 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • One of the defendants, Benjamin Song — a 32-year-old former Marine Corps reservist who associates described to authorities as a cult-like ringleader who opposes the government on immigration enforcement and on other matters — shot Alvarado Police Department Lt.
    Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Dale Ellis covers the federal courthouse beat for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, reporting on criminal and civil matters that impact Arkansans.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 3 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Juan Pappier, the deputy Americas director at Human Rights Watch, says that currently there are 89 foreign nationals imprisoned in Venezuelan jails, from countries that include Colombia, Spain, Argentina, France and the Czech Republic.
    Manuel Rueda, NPR, 4 Oct. 2025
  • Earlier this year, India began allowing tourist visas for Chinese nationals after years of curbs.
    Jordan Blum, Fortune, 3 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Failure to provide additional information or consents will be grounds for disqualification, unless prohibited under applicable law.
    Time, Time, 29 Sep. 2025
  • According to court documents, the suspect used his phone on school grounds at least once, on video.
    Michael Ruiz , Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 29 Sep. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Subject.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/subject. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on subject

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!