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
For all the inherent sadness of its subject matter, Mouse is never depressing, thanks to the delicacy of O’Sullivan and Thompson’s filmmaking.
—
Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 13 Feb. 2026
In spite of the depressing subject matter, this Wuthering Heights is more camp than melancholy.
—Kathleen Newman-Bremang, Refinery29, 12 Feb. 2026
The questions span diverse subject matter because they’re meant to measure general forecasting ability, not narrow expertise.
—Ross Andersen, The Atlantic, 11 Feb. 2026
Yet, the show also didn't shy away from tough, sometimes controversial subject matter, including rape, addiction, and child loss.
—Amy Wilkinson, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for subject matter
Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 13 Feb. 2026
In spite of the depressing subject matter, this Wuthering Heights is more camp than melancholy.
—Kathleen Newman-Bremang, Refinery29, 12 Feb. 2026
The questions span diverse subject matter because they’re meant to measure general forecasting ability, not narrow expertise.
—Ross Andersen, The Atlantic, 11 Feb. 2026
Yet, the show also didn't shy away from tough, sometimes controversial subject matter, including rape, addiction, and child loss.
—Amy Wilkinson, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for subject matter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for subject matter
Noun
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Aliens remain topic of interest Questions around the existence of aliens and life beyond Earth have swirled for years, with interest reignited by recent hearings on Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena, or UAPs.—
Kate Perez,
USA Today,
16 Feb. 2026
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Support journalism that digs deeper into topics that matter most to Arkansans.—
Bradley Gitz,
Arkansas Online,
16 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The creation of this content included the use of AI based on templates created, reviewed and edited by journalists in the newsroom.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
20 Feb. 2026
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Ultimately, Leventoff said the matter highlights the FCC’s influence in shaping what content viewers see on television.—
BrieAnna J. Frank,
USA Today,
20 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Mexican is the theme for March 6, so fish tacos along with Spanish rice and refried beans will be offered.—
Elizabeth Marie Himchak,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
17 Feb. 2026
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In accordance with the film’s main theme of toxic white colonialism, Kennedy treats Philomac with contempt but shows a weird fealty to Casey.—
Damon Wise,
Deadline,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Food and drink Onsite restaurant L’Escale is just as much a Greenwich institution as the hotel itself—a proper entity conveniently attached at the hip to your lodging for power lunchers in daylight, special-occasion diners in the evening, and a rotating cast of Hopper subjects always at the bar.—
Charlie Hobbs,
Condé Nast Traveler,
16 Feb. 2026
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More than half of the interview subjects self-funded their hiatuses.—
Colleen Newvine,
Fortune,
15 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Growth has slowed, discretionary spending is under pressure, and visibility alone — whether through celebrity endorsements, capsule collections, or familiar zodiac motifs — no longer guarantees resonance, let alone conversion.—
Yiling Pan,
Vogue,
17 Feb. 2026
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The walkways are illuminated with a changing motif of paw prints, DNA strands, and the letters G, A, T and C, representing the DNA building blocks.—
Mike Snider,
USA Today,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Bree suddenly understands why Lucy's motive and tries to support her, but her life starts to fall apart, and she gets expelled from Baird.—
Pamela Avila,
USA Today,
17 Feb. 2026
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Sullivan said the motive was under investigation, including whether members of Congress were the target.—
Gary Fields,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Soldiers from the Multi-purpose Company, 6th Squadron, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division operated the aircraft during the drill.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
17 Feb. 2026
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The real purpose of the campaign was to draw attention to the violation of Japanese Americans’ Constitutional rights.—
Zoe Sottile,
CNN Money,
16 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Illinois, meanwhile, had no issue raining shots from long range in the first half, or speeding past USC through the lane, for that matter.—
Ryan Kartje,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Feb. 2026
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The appeals court didn’t attempt to resolve the underlying issue, but agreed with state officials that Huntington Beach’s charter-city status doesn’t give it the authority over election-integrity issues, which are a state matter.—
The Editorial Board,
Oc Register,
18 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Subject matter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/subject%20matter. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
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