subject 1 of 4

noun (1)

ˈsəb-jikt How to pronounce subject (audio)
Definition of subjectnext
1
as in topic
a major object of interest or concern (as in a discussion or artistic composition) the subject of our discussion switched from who would be the next president to who was the greatest president in the nation's history

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in citizen
a person who owes allegiance to a government and is protected by it because of the tense situation in that country, British subjects were advised to return home as soon as possible

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in reason
something (as a belief) that serves as the basis for another thing he has no subject to protest this time, but that's never stopped him before

Synonyms & Similar Words

subject

2 of 4

verb

səb-ˈjekt How to pronounce subject (audio)
as in to dominate
to bring under one's control by force of arms Attila the Hun subjected most of Europe to his barbaric pillage

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

subject

3 of 4

adjective

as in dependent

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

subjection

4 of 4

noun (2)

as in conquest
the act or process of bringing someone or something under one's control a holy man for whom the subjection of earthly desires is the path to spiritual perfection

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word subject distinct from other similar nouns?

The words citizen and national are common synonyms of subject. While all three words mean "a person owing allegiance to and entitled to the protection of a sovereign state," subject implies allegiance to a personal sovereign such as a monarch.

the king's subjects

When would citizen be a good substitute for subject?

In some situations, the words citizen and subject are roughly equivalent. However, citizen is preferred for one owing allegiance to a state in which sovereign power is retained by the people and sharing in the political rights of those people.

the rights of a free citizen

When is national a more appropriate choice than subject?

The synonyms national and subject are sometimes interchangeable, but national designates one who may claim the protection of a state and applies especially to one living or traveling outside that state.

American nationals working in the Middle East

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of subject
Noun
Despite the access, Taylor did have a unique challenge in interviewing his subject for the documentary. — William Earl, Variety, 14 July 2026 All of these titles were chosen based on parental and guardians’ reports of the subjects’ favorite programs. — Whitney Friedlander, Los Angeles Times, 13 July 2026
Verb
No individual or corporation may, by becoming sufficiently mistrusted by public opinion or a few public officials, be subjected in court to a wholesale confiscation of its assets beyond what the law permits. — David B McGarry, Oc Register, 8 July 2026 Prosecutors also allege Kulbis subjected Dickey to hazing despite knowing about his medical condition and after receiving university training on sickle cell trait, state laws and NCAA hazing standards. — Nicole Acosta, PEOPLE, 7 July 2026
Adjective
Ideas that comport with folk theories of politics—all leaders are equally corrupt ; immigrants steal jobs; policy problems have easy, commonsense solutions—prevail over the findings of subject-matter experts. — Rose Horowitch, The Atlantic, 8 July 2026 As such, money withdrawn from the account before the child reaches age 59-1/2 may be subject both to income taxes and a 10% early withdrawal tax. — Jeanne Sahadi, CNN Money, 4 July 2026
Noun
The Handmaid's Tale spared no sensitivities when diving into the cruelest treatment people like June, and even Lydia, experience at the hands of a totalitarian system bent on the total subjection of women. — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Apr. 2026 As the man brawls with his in-laws, the boy is caught between two worlds, of male rage and female subjection. — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 30 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for subject
Recent Examples of Synonyms for subject
  1. topic
  2. citizen
  3. reason
  4. dominate
  5. dependent
  6. matter
  7. national
  8. grounds
Noun
  • Comment Follow topics and authors from this story to see more like this in your personalized homepage feed and to receive email updates.
    — Terrence O'Brien, The Verge, 11 July 2026
  • Later the internet would help Lillard stay informed and learn about all sorts of topics, including her disease, which paralyzed her from the neck down.
    — CNN Money, CNN Money, 11 July 2026
Definition of topic
Noun
  • Mexico’s government has already issued 11 diplomatic notes of protest to the US over the deaths of its citizens, Foreign Minister Roberto Velasco told reporters.
    — Mauricio Torres, CNN Money, 12 July 2026
  • Under the law, their children were deemed to be citizens at birth.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 12 July 2026
Definition of citizen
Noun
  • The Ukrainian presidency gave no reason for the reshuffle, in which Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko also lost her job.
    — Tim Lister, CNN Money, 16 July 2026
  • Scientists not involved in the study praised it but also offered some reasons to be cautious.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 15 July 2026
Definition of reason
Verb
  • Japan’s monarchy has for centuries maintained male-only succession, which is on-brand for a deeply patriarchal society where men dominate other spheres of life such as business and politics.
    — Hanako Montgomery, CNN Money, 14 July 2026
  • Highs are still projected to reach the upper 90s, with mostly sunny skies dominating the forecast.
    — The Baltimore Sun, Baltimore Sun, 13 July 2026
Definition of dominate
Adjective
  • Unlike wealthy nations with the reserves and infrastructure to buffer the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz, import-dependent economies are more vulnerable to immediate, cascading supply chain shocks.
    — Sophia Saifi, CNN Money, 16 July 2026
  • This exhausting existence has kept Lucky emotionally dependent on her father.
    — Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 15 July 2026
Definition of dependent
Noun
  • Few fans walk to game Though traffic has generally been better around the stadium since the last time Argentina was in town, some fans are still taking matters into their own hands, seen walking along the road two hours leading up to kickoff.
    — The Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 12 July 2026
  • Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is expected to travel to Oman on Saturday to discuss the Strait of Hormuz and broader regional developments, a source familiar with the matter told CNN Friday.
    — Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 11 July 2026
Definition of matter
Noun
  • Still, the agents involved in the fatal shooting of a Mexican national in Houston last week did not have body cameras, a Homeland Security spokesperson confirmed.
    — Holmes Lybrand, CNN Money, 14 July 2026
  • The most recent death happened Monday in Biddeford, Maine, where ICE agents tried to pull over the car of 26-year-old Joan Durán Guerrero, a Colombian national.
    — Sergio Martínez-Beltrán, NPR, 14 July 2026
Definition of national
Noun
  • In addition to the aforementioned football field, the resort-like grounds also host a pool with a spa and a waterfall, along with a pizza oven, a game pavilion with a candy bar, and a sports court for tennis, basketball, and pickleball.
    — Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 17 July 2026
  • There are other cooling spots as well as seven water misters on the fair grounds.
    — Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado Updated July 17, Sacbee.com, 17 July 2026
Definition of grounds

Phrases Containing subject

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subintervals
subject
subjected
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Cite this Entry

“Subject.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/subject. Accessed 18 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of subject for Spanish Speakers

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