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
Students selected will come together July 5 in Austin, Texas to conduct experiments, tour facilities, network with other students, and conduct research while being mentored by NASA, industry, and academia subject matter experts at The University of Texas at Austin.
—
News Release, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 May 2026
Typically, this type of work would be handled by a less senior attorney at the department who had more direct involvement with the subject matter at hand, the former official said.
—Los Angeles Times, 28 May 2026
The logic is that commissioners are subject matter experts who will not favor any team.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 26 May 2026
Tillmans frequently displays his work tacked or taped directly to the gallery wall, interspersed with postcards, ink-jet prints, and magazine clippings, calling into question typical hierarchies of scale and subject matter and pointing out the photos’ materiality.
—News Desk, Artforum, 26 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for subject matter
News Release, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 May 2026
Typically, this type of work would be handled by a less senior attorney at the department who had more direct involvement with the subject matter at hand, the former official said.
—Los Angeles Times, 28 May 2026
The logic is that commissioners are subject matter experts who will not favor any team.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 26 May 2026
Tillmans frequently displays his work tacked or taped directly to the gallery wall, interspersed with postcards, ink-jet prints, and magazine clippings, calling into question typical hierarchies of scale and subject matter and pointing out the photos’ materiality.
—News Desk, Artforum, 26 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for subject matter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for subject matter
Noun
-
Backers of the mayor accused Raman of changing her position on an array of topics, including police hiring, the city’s anti-encampment law and even who should be mayor.—
Noah Goldberg,
Los Angeles Times,
8 June 2026
-
But who would not wish for more paragraphs on these topics, produced by this particular writer?—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
8 June 2026
Noun
-
Before publishing, journalists reviewed this content in compliance with McClatchy Media’s AI policy.—
Ruyuan Li. Story produced with AI assistance,
Sacbee.com,
5 June 2026
-
The creation of this content included the use of AI based on templates created, reviewed and edited by journalists in the newsroom.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
5 June 2026
Noun
-
But my belief is that this is the mighty theme contemporary fiction has largely overlooked.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
2 June 2026
-
Based on six modalities, spa, holistic health, fitness, physiotherapy, aesthetic beauty and nutrition – and offering almost 200 different sessions and treatments – the 15 retreat themes include a new one, Ageing Well.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
Noun
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That project is also the subject of a court challenge brought by The Cultural Landscape Foundation, which said repainting the bottom of the Reflecting Pool blue without first undergoing relevant reviews runs afoul of federal preservation laws governing historic sites.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
7 June 2026
-
McCullough said that when officers approached the subject, shots were fired toward the officers, striking one of the officers.—
Adam Thompson,
CBS News,
7 June 2026
Noun
-
The hypnotic motifs and stylized figures in these collections lit a fuse for Nilsson and her peers, seeding a fascination with non-Western art that has continued throughout her career.—
Jeremy Lybarger,
Artforum,
2 June 2026
-
Although the hotel is Japanese inspired, the Peninsula Tokyo incorporates many pan-Asian elements—gilt finishes, flower petal motifs on the carpets, and cherry wood panelling, to name a few.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
Noun
-
According to Butcher, since Nancy Guthrie is the mother of Today show co-host Savannah Guthrie, the clear motive is financial greed.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
2 June 2026
-
The two candidates vying for Fulton County Commission chair repeatedly questioned each other’s motives Monday during a testy debate ahead of their runoff election.—
Shaddi Abusaid,
AJC.com,
2 June 2026
Noun
-
While much attention since the fire has focused on rebuilding physical structures, Nemecek said preserving the ranch’s purpose is equally important.—
Daily News,
Daily News,
9 June 2026
-
And yet, while the animals in these stories are sacrificed to selfish purpose and whim, the human characters are astonished and haunted by them.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
9 June 2026
Noun
-
The sources spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss internal matters.—
Kate Linthicum,
Los Angeles Times,
4 June 2026
-
The city manager issued a statement saying the city is aware of the incident, takes the matter seriously, and confirmed that Ray had been relieved of her duties.—
Chelsea Jones,
CBS News,
3 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Subject matter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/subject%20matter. Accessed 10 Jun. 2026.
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