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
Some 66% were attracted by the subject matter.
—
Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 5 Apr. 2026
Porter has also worked as a meteorological technical subject matter expert in for both government and commercial organizations around the world.
—Greg Porter, San Francisco Chronicle, 3 Apr. 2026
Despite the messiness of her subject matter, Parks can sound very studied.
—Aimee Cliff, Pitchfork, 3 Apr. 2026
A24‘s dark comedy feature The Drama, starring Zendaya and Robert Pattinson, has already become the focus of debate, despite the studio’s efforts to conceal the film’s true subject matter from its marketing.
—Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 3 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for subject matter
Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 5 Apr. 2026
Porter has also worked as a meteorological technical subject matter expert in for both government and commercial organizations around the world.
—Greg Porter, San Francisco Chronicle, 3 Apr. 2026
Despite the messiness of her subject matter, Parks can sound very studied.
—Aimee Cliff, Pitchfork, 3 Apr. 2026
A24‘s dark comedy feature The Drama, starring Zendaya and Robert Pattinson, has already become the focus of debate, despite the studio’s efforts to conceal the film’s true subject matter from its marketing.
—Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 3 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for subject matter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for subject matter
Noun
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The topic sounds academic because lunar travel is still extraordinarily expensive.—
Antony Davies,
Boston Herald,
19 Apr. 2026
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Staying on topic about the Clintons’ early days in the White House, Hillary described the jarring transition from Arkansas to presidential life.—
Antonio Ferme,
Variety,
19 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
One of the easiest ways to revive it is by mixing in fresh compost, which improves both texture and nutrient content.—
Jessica Safavimehr,
Southern Living,
16 Apr. 2026
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The property’s expansion into long-form content began in 2012, when Gummybear Intl.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
16 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Ahead of the United States’ 250th anniversary this year, her lecture will touch on the themes and significance of the People’s Bicentennial Quilt.—
Nollyanne Delacruz,
Mercury News,
14 Apr. 2026
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The Vatican says fighting corruption in the mineral-rich country and insisting on the correct uses of political authority are expected to be themes of Leo’s visit, which starts Wednesday with his arrival in Yaounde, the capital.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
14 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Drawing on these accounts, Thomas published some of the first books that explored the Japanese experience of the war at a time when the subject was seldom discussed, including in the Japanese American community.—
Hua Hsu,
New Yorker,
20 Apr. 2026
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In experimental research with colleague Kristof Madarasz, Imas found that willingness to pay for an identical good roughly doubled when subjects learned a random subset of people would be excluded from purchasing it.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
19 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The entire timepiece—the oval case, the dial, and the bracelet—is decorated with the Clou de Paris motif, which has appeared on Cartier watches and jewelry for over a century, but not quite like this.—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
14 Apr. 2026
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Apple Basket Many products in the collection also feature an apple motif, including a charming pillow and even a wooden salt cellar and doormat, but we’re most intrigued by the bamboo and rattan apple basket.—
Joseph Erbentraut,
Better Homes & Gardens,
11 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The motive for the attack remains unclear.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
14 Apr. 2026
-
The motive for the shooting was unclear.—
Greg Norman-Diamond,
FOXNews.com,
14 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Princess Elizabeth and her family toured the Sandringham Park grounds, which were being used for agricultural purposes to contribute to the war efforts, in August 1943.—
Stephanie Sengwe,
PEOPLE,
21 Apr. 2026
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William West | Afp | Getty Images Shares in Japan's largest defense company Mitsubishi Heavy Industries climbed nearly 4% Monday after the country finalized an agreement with Australia for building three general purpose frigates.—
Lim Hui Jie,
CNBC,
20 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Abhay Deshpande, PhD, BNL associate laboratory director for nuclear and particle physics and science director for the EIC, noted the EIC marks a major step forward in exploring matter and the strongest force in nature.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
15 Apr. 2026
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Even if the party wins an outright majority in September’s state election, the AfD will not be able to implement such changes, which are a matter for the federal government in Berlin.—
Sebastian Shukla,
CNN Money,
15 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Subject matter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/subject%20matter. Accessed 21 Apr. 2026.
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