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
All of them are books that contain everything their authors knew about their subject matter—and life.
—
Literary Hub, 8 Aug. 2025
Given their subject matters, this tracks for both series.
—Katie Campione, Deadline, 1 Aug. 2025
Effective diplomacy requires skilled diplomats and regional and subject matter experts.
—Elizabeth Shackelford, Mercury News, 1 Aug. 2025
Conversely, clear communication builds credibility, especially when your subject matter is complex.
—Serenity Gibbons, Forbes.com, 31 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for subject matter
Literary Hub, 8 Aug. 2025
Given their subject matters, this tracks for both series.
—Katie Campione, Deadline, 1 Aug. 2025
Effective diplomacy requires skilled diplomats and regional and subject matter experts.
—Elizabeth Shackelford, Mercury News, 1 Aug. 2025
Conversely, clear communication builds credibility, especially when your subject matter is complex.
—Serenity Gibbons, Forbes.com, 31 July 2025
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.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
25 Aug. 2025
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Data-sharing agreements on topics like border control, financial transactions or intelligence cooperation can easily become politically volatile.—
Majeed Javdani,
Forbes.com,
25 Aug. 2025
Noun
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The list, published Aug. 26, highlighted 25 content creators, such as YouTubers, podcast hosts, fashion creatives and TikTokers.—
Kaycee Sloan,
The Enquirer,
29 Aug. 2025
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However, Love Island does this in a way that the others can't because the show’s content actively encourages fans to elevate interactions to levels that even traditional advertising would struggle to reach.—
Braedon Montgomery,
Forbes.com,
29 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Features of the dramatic, five-bedroom, eight-bathroom home, per the release, includes: Great room Glass catwalk High ceilings Wellness loft LED lighting Lightness has become a theme inside as well.—
TJ Macias,
Sacbee.com,
28 Aug. 2025
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Office-to-Residential Conversions One of the biggest themes in the market right now is the transformation of outdated office stock into housing.—
James Nelson,
Forbes.com,
28 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Nkunku has been the subject of enquiries from clubs in Germany, England and Italy this summer, with Chelsea valuing the player at €50million (£43.2million; $58.2m), having put a £65m price tag on him in January.—
James Horncastle,
New York Times,
27 Aug. 2025
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Coppola is also featured in the festival’s screening lineup this year — as the subject of Leaving Las Vegas director Mike Figgis’ feature documentary, Megadoc, a behind-the-scenes chronicle of the making of Megalopolis, the cinema lion’s experimental epic from last year.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
27 Aug. 2025
Noun
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New drainage systems installed around the perimeter are covered with white grates with a Stars and Stripes motif.—
Tamara Keith,
NPR,
23 Aug. 2025
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From postcards and posters to snow globes and accessories, the towers were a frequent motif in pop culture and consumer design.—
Alice Gibbs,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Aug. 2025
Noun
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To his credit, Tost seems to have recognized that Sweeney’s bubbly beauty can serve as an effective mask for more sinister motives.—
Peter Tonguette,
The Washington Examiner,
22 Aug. 2025
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Anna Politkovskaya, an investigative journalist and fierce critic of the Chechen wars who was shot dead in her Moscow apartment building in 2006 by attackers who were convicted without ever revealing their motive or sponsors.—
Andy Shaw,
Chicago Tribune,
22 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Each separate agency has a unique purpose, but they are all inextricably connected.—
River Selby
August 25,
Literary Hub,
25 Aug. 2025
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But is that on purpose, because their conversations are kind of meh?—
Scottie Andrew,
CNN Money,
24 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Whether Adidas has deliberately gone for the 1980s tennis player vibe, or whether that was a happy accident, hardly matters.—
Nick Miller,
New York Times,
24 Aug. 2025
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Last week's ruling by U.S. District Judge Fred Biery of San Antonio adds to a growing wave of legal challenges on the matter in a fight that could ultimately reach the U.S. Supreme Court.—
Mandy Taheri,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Subject matter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/subject%20matter. Accessed 3 Sep. 2025.
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