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,
23 Mar. 2026
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These certainly aren’t the only proposals candidates have on the topic, or all the candidates who are running for governor, but rather just some of the ideas floated to voters recently.—
Kaitlyn Schallhorn,
Oc Register,
22 Mar. 2026
Noun
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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 Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
25 Mar. 2026
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In the summer, strolling and biking along the four reservoirs completely reset my nervous system; in the winter, the water becomes a frozen playground where people of all ages build snowmen and figure skate to their heart’s content.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
25 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The summit's themes include AI and the future of learning, as well as the impact of tech on youth mental health.—
Sooji Nam,
CBS News,
25 Mar. 2026
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His writing here is associative and nonlinear, not quite random but devoid of explicit plot or theme.—
Stephen Kearse,
Pitchfork,
24 Mar. 2026
Noun
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There are a lot of issues in government that can be the subject of reasonable and well-informed discussion, where different parties might fall on different answers.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
23 Mar. 2026
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Florida law and the Constitution provide for virtually all records and meetings to be public but allow for exemptions enacted by a specific law limited to one subject and passed by a two-thirds majority in each house.—
Martin Dyckman,
The Orlando Sentinel,
22 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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The motive is not vanity projects, but commercial bets designed to keep its products like Labubu embedded in people's lives.—
Elaine Yu,
CNBC,
25 Mar. 2026
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Police said the motive and circumstances surrounding the shooting are still under investigation.—
Carlos E. Castañeda,
CBS News,
24 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The litigation is now complicating the rollout of a Bureau of Prisons policy revision, issued in February, that would end all complimentary in-prison access to hormonal drugs and cosmetic surgeries for gender-affirmation purposes.—
Mia Cathell,
The Washington Examiner,
24 Mar. 2026
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The left has a tremendous advantage in terms of political energy and purpose.—
Bradley Gitz,
Arkansas Online,
23 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 25 Mar. 2026.
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