Synonyms of subject

subject 1 of 3

noun

ˈsəb-jikt 

1

as in topic

a major object of interest or concern (as in a discussion or artistic composition)

the subject of our discussion switched from who would be the next president to who was the greatest president in the nation's history

Synonyms & Similar Words

• topic
• matter
• theme
• question
• motif
• content
• essence
• idea
• motive
• issue
• purpose
• problem
• subject matter
• consideration
• basis
• substance
• core
• fundamental
• bulk
• heart
• count
• point
• body
• burden
• sum
• gist
• mass
• essential
• main
• debate
• crux
• nucleus
• staple
• net
• argument
• talking point
• kernel
• generality
• marrow
• pivot
• purport
• affair
• centerpiece
• bottom
• grist
• pith
• keynote
• quick
• nub
• essentiality
• nubbin

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• aside
• tangent
• excursion
• digression
• parenthesis
• interjection

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

• citizen
• national
• freeman
• resident
• inhabitant
• countryman
• native
• nonimmigrant
• compatriot

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• alien
• stranger
• foreigner
• noncitizen
• immigrant
• nonnative

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

• reason
• grounds
• motive
• why
• authority
• cause
• consideration
• account
• wherefore
• impetus
• occasion
• stimulus
• incentive
• inspiration
• antecedent
• instigation

subject

2 of 3

verb

səb-ˈjekt 

as in to dominate

to bring under one's control by force of arms

Attila the Hun subjected most of Europe to his barbaric pillage

Synonyms & Similar Words

• dominate
• conquer
• subdue
• overcome
• defeat
• subordinate
• reduce
• subjugate
• enslave
• vanquish
• overpower
• beat
• pacify
• crush
• prevail (over)
• triumph (over)
• mow (down)
• lick
• suppress
• rout
• annihilate
• whip
• smash
• quell
• silence
• put down
• thrash
• quash
• crack down (on)
• trounce
• clobber
• repress
• squelch
• snuff (out)
• smother
• squash
• clamp down (on)
• break
• wallop
• skunk
• drub

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• release
• free
• discharge
• spring
• liberate
• emancipate
• manumit
• enfranchise
• unbind
• unfetter
• unchain
• uncage

subject

3 of 3

adjective

as in dependent

Synonyms & Similar Words

• dependent
• bound
• unfree
• captive
• nonautonomous
• subjugated
• conquered
• fettered
• subordinate
• subdued
• non-self-governing
• enslaved
• subservient
• inferior

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• separate
• independent
• free
• sovereign
• autonomous
• freestanding
• sovran
• released
• freeborn
• self-governing
• redeemed
• delivered
• self-ruling
• self-governed
• liberated
• freed
• emancipated
• manumitted

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

Recent Examples of subject

Noun

Decker, a 32-year-old U.S. Army veteran, has been the subject of a manhunt since his three daughters, Paityn, 9, Evelyn, 8, and Olivia, 5, were found asphyxiated near his pickup truck in the remote Rock Island Campground in Washington State on June 2. —Nicole Acosta, People.com, 27 June 2025

The chair, which was inspired by an 1888 Vincent van Gogh painting of the same subject, collapsed beneath him as his companion took his photo. —Aurora Martínez, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 June 2025

Verb

Lamont objected to a portion of Senate Bill 1405 that would have subjected the appointment of an executive director of the State Elections Enforcement Commission to approval by a legislative committee, the House and Senate. —Mark Pazniokas, Hartford Courant, 5 June 2025

Swiss prosecutors eventually declined to press international homicide charges, but initially accused Willet of assisting in the woman's suicide without proper authorization and subjected him to months of investigation and public scrutiny, the outlets reported. —Christina Coulter, People.com, 3 June 2025

Adjective

The subject tracking is improved from its predecessor and the obstacle avoidance is omnidirectional, which is a very useful safety net when flying. —Alexander Cox, Space.com, 23 May 2025

Back in 2021, Shamir received an email from his close friend Andrew Harmon, with the song’s title as a subject line and nothing but an MP3 in the body. —Stephen Daw, Billboard, 22 May 2025

Phrases Containing subject

• subject (to)
• subject matter