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
When a difficult issue arises, our research shows that educators in all grade levels and subject matters often freeze, punt to buy time or forgo the teachable moment altogether.
—
Boaz Dvir, The Conversation, 14 Mar. 2026
The book is based on subject matter Grant was deeply interested in and focused on in her career.
—Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Mar. 2026
Discussing how the play balances heavy subject matter with humor, Radcliffe said the script allows performers to shift tone quickly.
—Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 13 Mar. 2026
As such, the Saturday release schedule is designed to highlight the cinematic qualities and subject matter of The Madison, positioning its release as a pair of date-night events for audiences.
—Josef Adalian, Vulture, 13 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for subject matter
Boaz Dvir, The Conversation, 14 Mar. 2026
The book is based on subject matter Grant was deeply interested in and focused on in her career.
—Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Mar. 2026
Discussing how the play balances heavy subject matter with humor, Radcliffe said the script allows performers to shift tone quickly.
—Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 13 Mar. 2026
As such, the Saturday release schedule is designed to highlight the cinematic qualities and subject matter of The Madison, positioning its release as a pair of date-night events for audiences.
—Josef Adalian, Vulture, 13 Mar. 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.—
Bradley Gitz,
Arkansas Online,
16 Mar. 2026
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This might make a good topic for a future column.—
Ernie Cowan,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 Mar. 2026
Noun
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In mere hours, central Madrid’s historic coffee spot, Café Comercial, will be thronged with content creators, micro-influencers and ‘cool kids’ attending the first in a rolling series of YSL Beauty activations, each envisioned as a block party.—
Joe Bobowicz,
Vogue,
20 Mar. 2026
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The city abruptly announced the rollout Wednesday afternoon, saying the change — the website’s first major overhaul since 2012 — will streamline navigation by reducing its content from about 17,000 pages to roughly 1,300.—
Chaya Tong,
Austin American Statesman,
19 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The period, which spans four weeks leading up to Christmas, is reserved for prayer, reflection and preparation with themes like hope, peace, joy and love.—
Alexis Simmerman,
Austin American Statesman,
17 Mar. 2026
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That’s a theme that Mayeri doesn’t taken lightly, as the film eventually morphs from wacky curiosity to deep reflection.—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
17 Mar. 2026
Noun
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But Democrats would also be allowed to bring up an indefinite number of amendments on any subject, forcing Republicans to take hard votes in an election year and delaying the process even more.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
15 Mar. 2026
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The film also contributed to a broader reflection on the relationship between filmmaker and subject.—
Lise Pedersen,
Variety,
15 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Nostalgia, printed–this season’s favorite motif.—
Minty Mellon,
Vogue,
18 Mar. 2026
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Inspired by the helter-skelter brickwork of Chiang Mai's crumbling temples, their façades feature masonry laid in intricate motifs and wooden lattices that create beautiful shadowy patterns when the sun hits.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
17 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Details about what led up to the incident remain unclear, and police have not provided further information on possible motives or the circumstances surrounding the case.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
18 Mar. 2026
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On her Drop Dead Serious podcast, Banfield spoke about the Sheriff’s comments about motive.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
17 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Most of the money went to the nonprofit Viet America Society for a meals program for seniors and the disabled, but only a fraction was spent for that purpose, according to Do’s plea agreement in 2024.—
Tony Saavedra,
Oc Register,
17 Mar. 2026
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However, StyleCaster may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.—
Katie Decker-Jacoby,
StyleCaster,
16 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The United States was informed about Israel's plans to strike the South Pars natural gas field but did not take part in it, according to a person familiar with the matter.—
DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE STAFF FROM WIRE REPORTS,
Arkansas Online,
19 Mar. 2026
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The inquiry into Kent’s alleged mishandling of classified information reportedly predates his resignation, according to multiple people with knowledge of the matter, Semafor first reported.—
Washington Examiner Staff,
The Washington Examiner,
19 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Subject matter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/subject%20matter. Accessed 22 Mar. 2026.
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