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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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 Despite their pointy protrusions, the sculptures are not spiky enough to leave a mark; and despite their flirtations with touchy subject matter, none of the works—not even the 9/11 ones—are vulgar enough to get Wolfson in hot water. — Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 23 Sep. 2026 Despite the dangerous and often violent nature of its subject matter, his Twitch livestream, titled Birds in the Air, is a joyous place filled with passionate fans and long-running jokes. — Anusha Praturu, Vulture, 21 Sep. 2026 While audiences will find plenty of humor in this film, its subject matter is serious—as is Wilson. — Lila Allen, Architectural Digest, 18 Sep. 2026 Given the subject matter, children under the age of six are not allowed for this play, according to the PPAC website. — Rin Velasco, The Providence Journal, 18 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for subject matter

Recent Examples of Synonyms for subject matter

Noun

That is a curiosity when the topic is which chatbot writes a better limerick.

— Puneet Gaur, Forbes.com, 1 Oct. 2026
Users complete a questionnaire covering typical first-date topics, including interests, habits, preferences, and values.

— Tatiana Sataua, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of topic

Noun

Google initially declined to approve the app for its Play Store over concerns about its content moderation practices.

— byDebbie Carlson, Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Oct. 2026
Also at Iberseries, Pedro Lopes, director general of content at SPi in Portugal, gave some insight into typical microdrama viewing behavior.

— Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of content

Noun

Early on, the theme was limited to the back glass of the machine and maybe some of the playfield art.

— Nina Metz, Chicago Tribune, 2 Oct. 2026
The project is predicated on the theme that the title suggests — love of self, love of others, love for her daughter Hazel — while embracing a swath of styles spanning quiet storm to smooth, finger-snapped R&B.

— Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of theme

Noun

The students were natural subjects for him, too—always there, curious to see their lives reflected back to them, with the understated grandeur of black-and-white film.

— Margaret Talbot, New Yorker, 26 Sep. 2026
They were elected together and took office in January, but within four months, Caldwell had become the subject of an anonymous complaint about his behavior with women.

— Mike Catalini, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of subject

Noun

There are artworks by South African and international artists, while circular shapes throughout the house nod to Zulu design motifs.

— Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 29 Sep. 2026
Pony hair printed with different animal patterns has become a recurring motif across the sneaker landscape from 2025 through to now, most prominently appearing at Nike via the Air Force 1 Low with renditions including leopard and cow prints.

— Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of motif

Noun

Police have not disclosed a potential motive and said there's no information indicating Matthews was targeted ahead of time.

— Emily Shapiro, ABC News, 28 Sep. 2026
Three suspicious vehicles were stopped near the base, and investigators are examining several possible motives and connections.

— Majd Al-Waheidi, NPR, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of motive

Noun

Unsurprisingly, developers creating single-purpose spaces placed controls on them, and not only racial ones.

— Daniel Immerwahr, New Yorker, 28 Sep. 2026
Banks support off-balance sheet arrangements, such as special purpose vehicles, between private creditors and hyperscalers, which is raising concerns about systemic stability, especially in light of contractual activations.

— Tobias Burns, CNBC, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of purpose

Noun

Furnari recalled that some of the song’s early music and lyrics came together quickly, but writing words that could do justice to their experience was another matter.

— Jessica Lynch, Billboard, 4 Oct. 2026
This achievement could give scientists a new way to control how light interacts with matter, study extremely fast quantum processes, and eventually distinguish molecules that are mirror images of each other.

— Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of matter

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subjectivity

subject matter

subject matters

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“Subject matter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/subject%20matter. Accessed 5 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of subject matter

noun

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