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
The creative team behind the doc is also developing a limited fictional series titled 96 on the same subject matter.
—
Zac Ntim, Deadline, 29 Apr. 2026
Watts had approached Vasquez before the meeting to share her understanding that the Indiana Attorney General had weighed in on the matter and said comments could not be limited to the agenda subject matter.
—Shelley Jones, Chicago Tribune, 29 Apr. 2026
In an era when the genre was dominated by bro-country clichés — add equal parts beer, truck and dirt road, stir and serve — Clark, McAnally and Osborne brought varied subject matter, richer emotional shadings and more cosmopolitan leanings.
—New York Times, 28 Apr. 2026
When Southern Living sat down with the trio recently, Hynes shared that the subject matter of this particular movie was very intentional.
—Rebecca Angel Baer, Southern Living, 25 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for subject matter
Zac Ntim, Deadline, 29 Apr. 2026
Watts had approached Vasquez before the meeting to share her understanding that the Indiana Attorney General had weighed in on the matter and said comments could not be limited to the agenda subject matter.
—Shelley Jones, Chicago Tribune, 29 Apr. 2026
In an era when the genre was dominated by bro-country clichés — add equal parts beer, truck and dirt road, stir and serve — Clark, McAnally and Osborne brought varied subject matter, richer emotional shadings and more cosmopolitan leanings.
—New York Times, 28 Apr. 2026
When Southern Living sat down with the trio recently, Hynes shared that the subject matter of this particular movie was very intentional.
—Rebecca Angel Baer, Southern Living, 25 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for subject matter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for subject matter
Noun
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Support journalism that digs deeper into topics that matter most to Arkansans.—
Kelly Brant,
Arkansas Online,
3 May 2026
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For people who follow the topic closely, promises of big revelations have never lived up to the hype, said Greg Eghigian, a Pennsylvania State University professor who wrote a book on the history of UFO sightings.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
3 May 2026
Noun
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Subscribe to read this story ad-free Get unlimited access to ad-free articles and exclusive content.—
Tom Winter,
NBC news,
7 May 2026
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The issue of antisemitism is also roiling the Green Party, which has passed Labour in the polls, but is now facing numerous scandals involving its candidates posting antisemitic content.—
Isaac Chotiner,
New Yorker,
7 May 2026
Noun
-
There will be a view of the river from the commons and interior wall graphics will illustrate the theme of the design, which incorporates the concepts of earth, air, water and fire.—
Mike Danahey,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Apr. 2026
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Speed and trust were themes echoed by executives around the table.—
Diane Brady,
Fortune,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Many of these pieces find Phillips decades removed from her Appalachian childhood, living elsewhere and writing on other subjects but mindful that she’s not finished reflecting on her origins.—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
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While 50 educators in Illinois hold the necessary World Language Arabic endorsement, only seven are currently teaching the subject, according to the superintendent’s statement.—
Angie Leventis Lourgos,
Chicago Tribune,
3 May 2026
Noun
-
Johnson’s spring 2008 collection featured a bevy of the designer’s signature playful prints and motifs, from ruffles and pops of color to polka dots and vibrant tones.—
Julia Teti,
Footwear News,
6 May 2026
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Glass vases with metallic finishes of unnatural blue, green and gold are drowned in palm leaf motifs, ready to be flowered.—
Christopher Buchanan,
Los Angeles Times,
6 May 2026
Noun
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Prosecutors hadn’t even offered a motive to connect him to the shooting.—
Molly Crane-Newman,
New York Daily News,
28 Apr. 2026
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The motive remains unclear, though state media reported the man left documents behind at the courthouse outlining his grievances.—
Stephen Sorace,
FOXNews.com,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
This approach builds upon the original intent of the Donohoe Act, which began with positive goals but did not fully achieve its purpose.—
Kaitlyn Schallhorn,
Oc Register,
4 May 2026
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The city has banned an arm in common use for lawful purposes by law-abiding citizens.—
Shelly Bradbury,
Denver Post,
4 May 2026
Noun
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The measure will not change the LAPD’s policy but requires the Police Commission to take up the matter.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
7 May 2026
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The employees’ union interpreted this initiative as an assault on local and subject-matter expertise.—
E. Tammy Kim,
New Yorker,
7 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Subject matter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/subject%20matter. Accessed 10 May. 2026.
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