SUBJECT MATTER Synonyms: 57 Similar and Opposite Words

subject matter

noun

Definition of subject matter

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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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 matter The production faced its own real-life protests after locals caught wind of the film’s subject matter, the Bozeman Daily Chronicle reported. — Carlos De Loera, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2026 The lengthy process ensures that the team must avoid timely subject matter. — Marlow Stern, Variety, 2 Oct. 2026 His output more closely resembles that of an old studio film director’s than of a typical contemporary literary novelist, with certain themes and preoccupations reappearing across books of otherwise disparate subject matter. — Literary Hub, 1 Oct. 2026 The film stays true to its black-comedy genre, given the heavy subject matter, and explores the performative nature of internet culture and male loneliness. — Lexi Carson, HollywoodReporter, 30 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for subject matter

Recent Examples of Synonyms for subject matter

Noun

The conversations remained cordial, despite vehement disagreements at times, with Talarico and the voters engaging in polite small talk before delving into, at times, heavy topics.

— Lauren Green, The Washington Examiner, 15 Oct. 2026
Caporael, who had explored the topic through the lens of the scientific method, wasn’t claiming to know what had happened at Salem.

— Jennifer Byrne, Popular Science, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of topic

Noun

First was comic and content creator, George Brett Olson, who did a breakdown (watch it below) accusing an AI Instagram account with 300,000 followers of seemingly ripped off his joke word for word.

— James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 16 Oct. 2026
SparkHub connects creator content to tracked sales inside its ShopBack app.

— Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of content

Noun

For the third straight year, BNY found that AI ranked as the most compelling investment theme for the next five years, cited by 68% of respondents.

— Molly A. Wallace, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2026
Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty Images Affordability is a major theme of the upcoming midterm elections — one that could have implications for how people vote in November.

— Greg Iacurci, CNBC, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of theme

Noun

Then there’s the new electric Jaguar, a machine that inflamed the Internet and became the subject of global controversy when its conceptual precursor was revealed in late 2024.

— Jason Barlow, Robb Report, 11 Oct. 2026
Gibney has never been one to shy away from controversy, but even before Musk’s release, the film drew the ire of its subject and threats of a defamation lawsuit.

— Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 11 Oct. 2026

Definition of subject

Noun

The store is also offering personalization services, where their artisans gold-stamp diaries, notebooks and leather styles with initials and playful motifs.

— Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 14 Oct. 2026
Taking a cue from Dante himself, Curci also borrowed motifs from popular mythology.

— Ed Meza, Variety, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of motif

Noun

But boycotts are generally scrutinized when they are pursued for economic motives, Baer said, while speech is a different matter.

— Miriam Waldvogel, Arkansas Online, 12 Oct. 2026
The motives and genres are changing, but the tech-founder movies and TV shows continue apace.

— Brady Brickner-Wood, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of motive

Noun

On a blistering surprise EP, Deafheaven find the vicious attack and grandiose drama of symphonic black metal perfectly suited to their purposes.

— Patrick Lyons, Pitchfork, 13 Oct. 2026
Aside from being part of the salon decor, the sculpture’s purpose, Ingram explained, is to introduce Vero’s service to his clientele.

— Ari Stark, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of purpose

Noun

The choice of materials, their adhesion and the design of the part all matter.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 17 Oct. 2026
When the plant roots encounter an area acidified by decaying plant matter—a chemical gradient distinct from that of animal matter—ABA builds up on the side facing the rot, encouraging growth in the other direction.

— Joanna Thompson, Scientific American, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of matter

Browse Nearby Words

subjectivity

subject matter

subject matters

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Style

“Subject matter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/subject%20matter. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of subject matter

noun

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