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
The three categories in competition at Brooklyn Horror 2025 included the annual shorts contest; the Dark Matter lineup, for features grounded in serious subject matter; and the Head Trip section, for features that expand your mind.
—
Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 21 Oct. 2025
Velasco wanted to think beyond interpreting color and subject matter with choreography, which focuses on changing levels of direction, shapes and floor patterns.
—Marcia Luttrell, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Oct. 2025
Many former asylums are now macabre tourist attractions, whose treatment of their subject matter can range from the sensitive to the sensationalist.
—Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 18 Oct. 2025
Over 10 freewheeling tracks, the band successfully weaves even more of their mythos, while spinning into new genres, tackling new subject matter and having the most fun possible while doing it all.
—Stephen Daw, Billboard, 17 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for subject matter
Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 21 Oct. 2025
Velasco wanted to think beyond interpreting color and subject matter with choreography, which focuses on changing levels of direction, shapes and floor patterns.
—Marcia Luttrell, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Oct. 2025
Many former asylums are now macabre tourist attractions, whose treatment of their subject matter can range from the sensitive to the sensationalist.
—Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 18 Oct. 2025
Over 10 freewheeling tracks, the band successfully weaves even more of their mythos, while spinning into new genres, tackling new subject matter and having the most fun possible while doing it all.
—Stephen Daw, Billboard, 17 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for subject matter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for subject matter
Noun
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Judging by his big grin, though, the best topic was saved till last when asked to describe Estevao’s display.—
Simon Johnson,
New York Times,
23 Oct. 2025
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Support journalism that digs deeper into topics that matter most to Arkansans.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
23 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The ring is designed to integrate directly with the Reebok Fitness App, which offers more than 1,000 hours of fitness and wellness content.—
Emily Burns,
Footwear News,
21 Oct. 2025
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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 WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
21 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Hard Rock International Hard Rock International is owned by the Seminole Tribe of Florida and includes a global chain of theme-bar restaurants, casinos, hotels and museums.—
Melanie Hicken,
CNN Money,
24 Oct. 2025
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Why is amnesia such a favorite theme?—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
24 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Not to mention the films and books based on the subject.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
24 Oct. 2025
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Jim Trusty, Rozier’s attorney, strongly disputed the accusations, saying that prosecutors characterized Rozier as a subject of their investigation and not a target.—
Dana O'Neil,
CNN Money,
23 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Worn as a layer over her shoulders, Williams coordinated the coat with her midi dress, which featured the same macramé floral motif in a column silhouette.—
Julia Teti,
Footwear News,
24 Oct. 2025
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Swifties wearing friendship bracelets or Lambs reviving Mariah [Carey]’s ’90s butterfly motifs aren’t waiting for approval from [magazines] anymore…they’re creating the trends in real time.—
Andre Claudio,
Sourcing Journal,
23 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Her motive for abandoning her daughter is unclear at this time.—
Madison E. Goldberg,
PEOPLE,
23 Oct. 2025
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King’s defense attorneys Matt Smid and Mark Daniel say that Good’s motives are political.—
Harriet Ramos,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
23 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Swets, who has expertise with special-purpose acquisition companies (SPACs), formed Greenland Exploration with his investment and merchant banking firm, FG Nexus, and agreed to merge with March GL and find a suitable SPAC to take the company public.—
Jordan Blum,
Fortune,
22 Oct. 2025
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Sea lines of communication, or SLOCs, are the principal maritime routes between ports used for trade, military or other purposes.—
Ryan Chan,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Oct. 2025
Noun
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To compound matters, Nuno is the first West Ham head coach to be winless in his first four league games since Manuel Pellegrini in September 2018.—
Roshane Thomas,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
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Previous studies relied on a process known as polymerase chain reaction (PCR), which amplifies small or degraded fragments of DNA, allowing scientists to analyze genetic material even from old or damaged organic matter.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
24 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Subject matter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/subject%20matter. Accessed 26 Oct. 2025.
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