as in topic
the information or ideas that are discussed or dealt with in a book, movie, etc.; what something is about
I found the film's subject matter to be quite disturbing. The magazine's editors care more about style than about subject matter. She disapproves of the artist's choice of subject matter.
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Recent Examples of subject matter
In many cases, her subject matter was often explicitly political and highly legible.
—
Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 11 Apr. 2026
While the subject matter is bleak, Almodóvar balances the darkness with a tenderness and sensitivity that comes from a career of exploring women's lives at their most intimate.
—Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Apr. 2026
The subject matter of New Deal art was more constrained and at times boosterish.
—Judith Shulevitz, The Atlantic, 9 Apr. 2026
Some 66% were attracted by the subject matter.
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 5 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for subject matter
Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 11 Apr. 2026
While the subject matter is bleak, Almodóvar balances the darkness with a tenderness and sensitivity that comes from a career of exploring women's lives at their most intimate.
—Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Apr. 2026
The subject matter of New Deal art was more constrained and at times boosterish.
—Judith Shulevitz, The Atlantic, 9 Apr. 2026
Some 66% were attracted by the subject matter.
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 5 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for subject matter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for subject matter
Noun
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The topic sounds academic because lunar travel is still extraordinarily expensive.—
Antony Davies,
Boston Herald,
19 Apr. 2026
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Staying on topic about the Clintons’ early days in the White House, Hillary described the jarring transition from Arkansas to presidential life.—
Antonio Ferme,
Variety,
19 Apr. 2026
Noun
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For more World's Most Beautiful content, pick up the latest issue of PEOPLE on newsstands Friday.—
Bailey Richards,
PEOPLE,
21 Apr. 2026
-
Gorka has been tight-lipped about the contents of his strategy.—
Hannah Allam,
ProPublica,
21 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Even if the themes of the lyrics are similar, the wide-eyed intensity, and even rage, suggest there is more to her perspective than a desire to sink into the mud of modern life.—
Colin Joyce,
Pitchfork,
21 Apr. 2026
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Going hand in hand with the theme of Fed independence were questions about Warsh and interest rates.—
Zach Halaschak,
The Washington Examiner,
21 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Drawing on these accounts, Thomas published some of the first books that explored the Japanese experience of the war at a time when the subject was seldom discussed, including in the Japanese American community.—
Hua Hsu,
New Yorker,
20 Apr. 2026
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In experimental research with colleague Kristof Madarasz, Imas found that willingness to pay for an identical good roughly doubled when subjects learned a random subset of people would be excluded from purchasing it.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
19 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Dec-aura points are the decor version—the design, decoration, and styling motifs that elevate a space into something undeniably chic, magnetic, and inviting.—
Katherine McLaughlin,
Architectural Digest,
22 Apr. 2026
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Mathematicians hope that these intricate motifs will point them toward deeper topological features of individual knots.—
Erica Klarreich,
Quanta Magazine,
22 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Smith said domestic violence is believed to be the primary motive behind the killings.—
Bill Hutchinson,
ABC News,
21 Apr. 2026
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Nor was there any immediate indication of a motive.—
Foreign Correspondent,
Los Angeles Times,
21 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Princess Elizabeth and her family toured the Sandringham Park grounds, which were being used for agricultural purposes to contribute to the war efforts, in August 1943.—
Stephanie Sengwe,
PEOPLE,
21 Apr. 2026
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William West | Afp | Getty Images Shares in Japan's largest defense company Mitsubishi Heavy Industries climbed nearly 4% Monday after the country finalized an agreement with Australia for building three general purpose frigates.—
Lim Hui Jie,
CNBC,
20 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The scientists in question worked across specialties ranging from materials processing to the development of cancer drugs, only in some cases dealing with aerospace or nuclear matters.—
Dan Adler,
Vanity Fair,
22 Apr. 2026
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The Justice Department's Weaponization Working Group is planning to release a report analyzing how the memo came to be, according to sources familiar with the matter.—
Sarah N. Lynch,
CBS News,
22 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Subject matter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/subject%20matter. Accessed 23 Apr. 2026.
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