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
Federal officials also questioned whether DOGE had the subject matter expertise to comb through highly technical regulations and find appropriate targets for cuts, the people said.
—
Arkansas Online, 27 July 2025
This, complicated by the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic and a long-term national teacher shortage felt in districts across the map, has remaining teachers of all subject matters exhausted and taking on more work and longer hours.
—Kansas City Star, 22 July 2025
Victor—who wrote, directed, and stars in the film—emerges as a generational talent who tackles delicate subject matter with poise and humor.
—Taylor Antrim, Vogue, 21 July 2025
Pop punk is a depressing subject matter done in an extremely happy way.
—Jack Dunn, Variety, 28 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for subject matter
Arkansas Online, 27 July 2025
This, complicated by the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic and a long-term national teacher shortage felt in districts across the map, has remaining teachers of all subject matters exhausted and taking on more work and longer hours.
—Kansas City Star, 22 July 2025
Victor—who wrote, directed, and stars in the film—emerges as a generational talent who tackles delicate subject matter with poise and humor.
—Taylor Antrim, Vogue, 21 July 2025
Pop punk is a depressing subject matter done in an extremely happy way.
—Jack Dunn, Variety, 28 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for subject matter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for subject matter
Noun
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These are similar to the topics the Biden-era FAA was looking at last year.—
Stephen Clark,
ArsTechnica,
14 Aug. 2025
-
With athletes still waiting for their paydays, the topic remains a core issue.—
Cory Mull,
Forbes.com,
13 Aug. 2025
Noun
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The data centers that fuel AI have already gobbled up all of the content on just about every website visible on the internet.—
Tim Carter,
Hartford Courant,
16 Aug. 2025
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The couple brought their architect, Sebastiano Pisana, who knows the town well, to consult on the contents.—
Jack Beresford,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Funny, joyous, incredibly moving, Passing Strange touches on several of Lee’s favorite themes (race, family) but his underrated gift for working with actors is on full display here.—
Tim Grierson,
Vulture,
16 Aug. 2025
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That has been the theme during English sides’ pre-season campaigns too, with Arsenal’s 15-year-old midfielder Max Dowman and 16-year-old Liverpool winger Rio Ngumoha impressing.—
The Athletic UK Staff,
New York Times,
16 Aug. 2025
Noun
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The Studio Museum returns, on Nov. 15, with installations devoted to its collection and history, plus a show of electric-light works by Tom Lloyd, who was the subject of the museum’s first-ever exhibition, in 1968.—
Shauna Lyon,
New Yorker,
15 Aug. 2025
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As economist Hugh Rockoff writes, economic metrics have been the subject of political controversy since they were invented.—
Livia Gershon,
JSTOR Daily,
15 Aug. 2025
Noun
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In a somewhat desultory Virginia childhood, fishing with my father was a recurring motif.—
AFAR Media,
AFAR Media,
7 Aug. 2025
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Raven motifs crept into the production design at every turn: Nevermore Academy’s front gates, Principal Weems’ office, roof tiles that resembled feathers, and the school’s mascot.—
Daron James,
IndieWire,
7 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
To successfully transition requires a profound change in mindset, motives and strategy of execution.—
Jyothish R,
Forbes.com,
12 Aug. 2025
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Authorities have not released a potential motive for CDC shooting Officer David Rose, 33, was the sole casualty after a shooter opened fire on Centers for Disease Control buildings near Emory University in Atlanta on Friday.—
Nicole Fallert,
USA Today,
11 Aug. 2025
Noun
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This information is for educational purposes and is not intended to provide, and should not be relied upon for, accounting, legal, tax, insurance, or investment advice.—
Heather L. Locus,
Forbes.com,
13 Aug. 2025
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Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid Joan Goodwin, a physics professor with a lifelong love of the stars, seizes the chance to join NASA’s first class of women astronauts and soon finds friendship, passion, and purpose among her fellow trainees.—
Kait Hanson,
Southern Living,
13 Aug. 2025
Noun
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And that is why global health matters, and that is why institutions like the Fogarty International Center matter.—
Madhukar Pai,
Forbes.com,
12 Aug. 2025
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The report offers no solutions or consolations on the matter.—
Zoe Pearl,
New Yorker,
12 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Subject matter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/subject%20matter. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.
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