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 Far more often, waste happens through the duplication of overhead services, misuse of subject matter experts, dependence on slow decision-making frameworks, and other procedural flaws. — Ryan Dewey Smith, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026 Not talking down to them, and tackling real subject matter that’s universal, about family and relationships and nature versus nurture and grief. — Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 18 Aug. 2026 Matte paintings add to the fantasy The film’s production designers, Brandon Tonner-Connolly and Matt Hyland, explained in recent interviews that Schoenbrun wanted the movie’s visuals to be as emotionally charged as the subject matter. — Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 18 Aug. 2026 Whether they’re built around apocalyptic beliefs, aliens, religion, or even romance, cults and the people who fall under their spell tend to make for irresistible subject matter. — Will Harris, Entertainment Weekly, 18 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for subject matter

Recent Examples of Synonyms for subject matter

Noun

Mental preparation, recovery strategies, and how to interact with the community are all sure to be topics of conversation in the meal room.

— Tamerra Griffin, New York Times, 22 Aug. 2026
Petersen allegedly deferred to a male sergeant’s expertise on topics including firearms and internal affairs while dismissing Kennon’s expertise in other areas.

— Ben Wheeler, Kansas City Star, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of topic

Noun

Mandee Tauber is a hairstylist and principal artist of global content at Oribe.

— Marci Robin, Allure, 21 Aug. 2026
Internally at the studios, copyright divisions spend their energy targeting larger criminal operations enabling these digital pirates — the hives sharing and disseminating premium content.

— Gene Maddaus, Variety, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of content

Noun

Jacksonville has a successful Triple-A franchise, the Jumbo Shrimp, that won its league last year, bringing fun theme nights, quirky mascots and between-inning craziness.

— Letters to the Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 23 Aug. 2026
It was also applied to various New York acts – the Ramones, the New York Dolls, Richard Hell – who experimented with outlandish outfits, back-to-basics songwriting, and themes of teenage alienation.

— The Week UK, TheWeek, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of theme

Noun

West’s pregnancy became the subject of a legal battle after Rumi received his diagnosis, according to a July statement of interest filed in Alaska and reviewed by PEOPLE.

— Raven Brunner, PEOPLE, 18 Aug. 2026
The correspondence that followed was equally persuasive, laying out the subjects the person identifying themselves as Gross intended to discuss with him, demonstrating what appeared to be deep, actual knowledge of Vilanch’s work.

— Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of subject

Noun

Andy Burnham got the famous Manchester worker bee logo inked on his arm while mayor of the city and this shirt has that very same motif scattered all over it.

— Nick Miller, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026
The design sheds the current generation’s swoopier and more angular aesthetic for a blocky motif and front and rear LED strips.

— Adam Ismail, The Drive, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of motif

Noun

Her motive wasn’t a major part of the trial, but evidence presented by the prosecution suggested her relationship with her in-laws had deteriorated.

— Hilary Whiteman, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2026
Suspicious and revelatory, today’s moon in Scorpio is deeply attuned to hidden motives, subtext and all that is lingering beneath the surface.

— Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of motive

Noun

Officers have been accused of using the technology to track people in their families and personal lives rather than for legitimate law enforcement purposes.

— Zachary Bynum, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026
Its sturdy purpose is to guide and tow larger vessels through locks and busy lanes.

— Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of purpose

Noun

Taking the extra time to turn off your engine matters and can make things safer for you and everyone around you.

— Molly Burford, Southern Living, 22 Aug. 2026
At a time when antisemitism is too often minimized, rationalized or repackaged in more socially acceptable language, this kind of moral clarity matters.

— Tom Tapp, Deadline, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of matter

Browse Nearby Words

subjectivity

subject matter

subject matters

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Cite this Entry

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“Subject matter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/subject%20matter. Accessed 25 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of subject matter

noun

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