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
Ventura, the prosecution's key witness who was in a relationship with Combs for 11 years, has been the subject of much of the testimony from other witnesses. Elizabeth Rosner, People.com, 21 May 2025 This is no Rembrandt or Vermeer, however, and the subject is no long-dead royal. Joseph States, Chicago Tribune, 21 May 2025
Verb
The rule, proposed in December, sought to treat data brokers as consumer reporting agencies under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), subjecting them to additional requirements. Julia Shapero, The Hill, 14 May 2025 In her lawsuit filed in November 2023, Ventura accused Combs of subjecting her to years of rape, beatings, and psychological manipulation. Nick Mordowanec, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 May 2025
Adjective
Who should consider this role Those who excel at one-on-one teaching, have deep subject knowledge, and prefer flexible work arrangements. Caroline Castrillon, Forbes.com, 7 May 2025 The honor is awarded in recognition of a subject painting, genre painting, or mural project. News Desk, Artforum, 9 May 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.
    Neal Earley, Arkansas Online, 22 May 2025
  • Jennifer is a senior writer at Ars Technica with a particular focus on where science meets culture, covering everything from physics and related interdisciplinary topics to her favorite films and TV series.
    Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 21 May 2025
Noun
  • This meant that Iowa citizens were exposed to having meritless lawsuits brought against them to silence their free speech rights, or retaliate against them for having done so, through the use of the litigation process itself.
    Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 20 May 2025
  • Why does this opposition wish to retain immigrants in our country illegally over the security of American citizens?
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 19 May 2025
Noun
  • During these inspections, travelers may be questioned or their electronic devices looked through as a way to confirm their identity and reasons for being in the U.S.
    Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 15 May 2025
  • At that, Tesla is reportedly sitting on $200 million worth of unsold Cybertruck models that can’t seem to find buyers for reasons that include being involved in multiple recalls, with the latest involving body panels randomly falling off the vehicle.
    Jim Gorzelany, Forbes.com, 14 May 2025
Verb
  • Rihanna’s ability to dominate the pop arena without compromising her Barbadian hertiage certainly served as a breakthrough for Caribbean artists.
    Ime Ekpo, Forbes.com, 25 May 2025
  • Torrey Pines, which finished runner-up to CCA in the Open Division, and Canyon Crest have dominated the San Diego Section in recent years.
    Don Norcross, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 May 2025
Adjective
  • The new law made married women dependent citizens; their citizenship status was now entirely derived from that of their husbands.
    Time, Time, 19 May 2025
  • Not surprisingly, the latter is highly dependent on the former, industry experts say.
    Marco della Cava, USA Today, 19 May 2025
Noun
  • The main question of contemporary cinema isn’t (pace the nominal avant-garde) whether to tell a story but what story to tell, how to tell it, and, for that matter, what a story is.
    Richard Brody, New Yorker, 20 May 2025
  • Pumpkins have high nutrient requirements and love soil with lots of organic matter, so for best results, amend the soil.
    Luke Miller, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 May 2025
Noun
  • The deceased included two Mexican nationals, whose details have not been released, and a 14-year-old Indian national, whose 10-year-old sister is missing and presumed dead, according to the warrant.
    Luke Harold, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 May 2025
  • The timing could not have been better, Eddie Hamdard said, because the end of the TPS program for Afghan nationals could have forced his brother to return to their home country.
    Carolyn Komatsoulis, Idaho Statesman, 22 May 2025
Verb
  • For McIlroy — who relied on the services of a sports psychologist to conquer the mountain of winning golf’s Grand Slam — the moment of victory was a long time coming, and an emotional one.
    Anna Lazarus Caplan, People.com, 15 May 2025
  • Tiger Woods ruled the PGA Championship again Having already conquered the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach and The Open Championship at St. Andrews earlier that year, Tiger Woods arrived at Valhalla Golf Club in 2000, chasing yet another milestone.
    Devlina Sarkar, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Subject.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/subject. Accessed 28 May. 2025.

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