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
Turner wanted to dramatically widen the aperture of television news, envisioning shows about business, health, sports and other subject matter.
—
Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 6 May 2026
The blue economy isn’t a subject matter that’s restricted to a single sector.
—Natalie Sum Yue Chung, Fortune, 3 May 2026
The serious subject matter is punctuated by many very on-the-nose jokes that don't always include enough nuance but, after all, that is kind of the whole point.
—Madeleine Janz, PEOPLE, 30 Apr. 2026
Kahan’s subject matter sets him apart from most of his adult-contemporary contemporaries, often directly mentioning an interstate highway or name-dropping a city in the New England region.
—Hannah Jocelyn, Pitchfork, 29 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for subject matter
Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 6 May 2026
The blue economy isn’t a subject matter that’s restricted to a single sector.
—Natalie Sum Yue Chung, Fortune, 3 May 2026
The serious subject matter is punctuated by many very on-the-nose jokes that don't always include enough nuance but, after all, that is kind of the whole point.
—Madeleine Janz, PEOPLE, 30 Apr. 2026
Kahan’s subject matter sets him apart from most of his adult-contemporary contemporaries, often directly mentioning an interstate highway or name-dropping a city in the New England region.
—Hannah Jocelyn, Pitchfork, 29 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for subject matter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for subject matter
Noun
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The conservatism that would eventually hobble the daytime soap had its roots in this era, when soap viewers with especially fragile sensibilities had specific conceptions of what topics a soap should cover and made no bones about airing their protests.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 May 2026
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Ironically, one of the few issues that Jeffries is identified with is the very topic that now most threatens to divide the Democratic Party.—
Jason Zengerle,
New Yorker,
18 May 2026
Noun
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The content surrounding the campaign has drawn praise from a handful of celebrities, including reality star/entrepreneur Paris Hilton, actor Taylor Lautner and celebrity gossip blogger Perez Hilton.—
Angela Yang,
NBC news,
15 May 2026
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That means technology in many cases has more relevance than the actual content on the screen.—
Michael Schneider,
Variety,
15 May 2026
Noun
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The filmmaker explores how Inés’ coming of age mirrors the lingering wounds of Chile’s political transition to democracy from the dictatorship of General Augusto Pinochet – a theme at the heart of Martelli’s feature debut Chile ’76, which premiered in the Directors’ Fortnight at Cannes.—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
12 May 2026
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For Kawasaki’s part, Synflux is prepared to rise to the challenge of the summit’s theme—Building Resilient Futures—even though the goal feels increasingly aspirational amid the groundswell of global instability.—
Jasmin Malik Chua,
Footwear News,
12 May 2026
Noun
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Canadian health officials on Sunday confirmed that one of four Canadians who returned from the MV Hondius cruise ship, the subject of an international Andes hantavirus outbreak, tested positive for hantavirus.—
Michael Sinkewicz,
FOXNews.com,
18 May 2026
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Over the past three weeks, the collapse of the once-tight bond between two of the most prominent names in AI has been the subject of a high-profile trial in Oakland, California, after Musk sued Altman and OpenAI in 2024 for allegedly violating their commitment to keep OpenAI as a nonprofit.—
Ashley Capoot,Lora Kolodny,
CNBC,
18 May 2026
Noun
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The suited ensemble emphasized militaristic utility, with a long-sleeve jacket embroidered with muted gold sinuous motifs.—
Julia Teti,
Footwear News,
13 May 2026
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Their tiered form nods to the cloud terrace motif that appears repeatedly in New Mexico’s indigenous Pueblo art and architecture.—
Bill Addison,
Los Angeles Times,
12 May 2026
Noun
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She was criticized publicly by some colleagues as well anonymous government officials who were quoted in Israeli and international media questioning her motives.—
Ivana Kottasová,
CNN Money,
12 May 2026
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Officers have not released a motive.—
CBS News Atlanta Digital Team,
CBS News,
12 May 2026
Noun
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For all intents and purposes, the bulk of the offseason acquisition for the Dallas Cowboys is wrapped up.—
Nick Harris,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
11 May 2026
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The board’s ouster comes amid a purge of independent scientific and research groups whose purpose is to advise the federal government’s science and health policies.—
Dan Vergano,
Scientific American,
11 May 2026
Noun
-
This misuse of party resources matters.—
Adam Davis,
New York Daily News,
14 May 2026
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The Sun forms a cazimi with Mercury in Taurus in your 9th House of Perspective, bringing a powerful insight around travel, education, publishing, legal matters, or a goal that stretches your worldview.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
14 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Subject matter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/subject%20matter. Accessed 18 May. 2026.
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