subject 1 of 4

Definition of subjectnext
1
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

subject

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adjective

subjection

4 of 4

noun (2)

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
Thus, Free Solo is thrilling for its footage and what its subject tries to accomplish, but a sense of existential ambivalence comes with that morbid thrill. Eric Farwell, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Feb. 2026 The journalist might feel the need to wrest some hot information from the subject, or find some aha moment and then the subject gets their guard up. Marc Weingarten, Los Angeles Times, 21 Feb. 2026
Verb
Revelations in 2020 that Boohoo’s Leicester contractors were subjecting their workers to exploitative pay and unsafe conditions certainly sullied the Midlands city’s reputation. Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 6 Feb. 2026 The environmental group has argued that the exchange of funds between the state and federal governments is the trigger that would subject the Everglades detention center to environmental impact assessment regulations. Miami Herald, 6 Feb. 2026
Adjective
In order to operate in Portland, certain businesses must be approved for conditional use and are subject, pursuant to Portland’s zoning provisions, to restrictions outlined in their respective conditional use permits. Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 7 Feb. 2026 The subject line referred to the picture of the bottles of medication. Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 3 Feb. 2026
Noun
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 Miners argue increased subjection to the dust has led to an eruption of black lung, an incurable disease associated with inhaling the particles. Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 14 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for subject
Recent Examples of Synonyms for subject
Verb
  • The Panthers dominated wire-to-wire for a 5-1 win over the Maple Leafs at Amerant Bank Arena in their first game back following the NHL’s Olympic break.
    Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 27 Feb. 2026
  • But the man who absolutely dominated the game from day 1 was still more than satisfied to prove people’s assumptions about him wrong.
    Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 27 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Puerto Rico’s power grid is overwhelmingly dependent on fossil fuels.
    Israel Melendez Ayala, Time, 28 Feb. 2026
  • This confirmed that the fracturing was a physical process dependent on the incredible strain of heart contractions.
    Clare Watson, Quanta Magazine, 27 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Rooms are a bit subdued, in creams and whites, though a pop of color is provided here and there.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Feb. 2026
  • Three bystanders managed to subdue the shooter, who then reached for a second handgun and died by suicide, police say.
    Mark Reynolds, The Providence Journal, 26 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Given enough time and incessant cosmic acceleration, every bound structure would get ripped apart—even ones bound by forces other than gravity, like molecules and even atoms themselves!
    Phil Plait, Scientific American, 6 Feb. 2026
  • The bound, heavy scriptures were placed on the cot and carried off in a procession to its sleeping quarters.
    Norma Meyer, Oc Register, 4 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Within just two million years of the Great Dying, these animals had already conquered diverse global niches — showing how quickly life rebounded and radiated following the planet’s most severe mass extinction.
    Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 23 Feb. 2026
  • Few, if any, gave them a chance against the all-conquering Soviets, especially given the fact the American team had been humbled 10-3 in an exhibition game at Madison Square Garden just days before the Games started.
    Patrick Snell, CNN Money, 21 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Until a few years ago, millions of Iranians repeatedly voted in the country’s mostly unfree elections, hoping that regime insiders could pave a path for reform.
    Arash Azizi, The Atlantic, 20 Jan. 2026
  • His elections in 2018 and 2024 were widely denounced as fraudulent or unfree by the U.S., the European Union and many Latin American governments.
    Paul Vallas, Twin Cities, 6 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • In their recusal motion aimed at the prosecutor, the defense lawyers had to overcome a high bar to prevail.
    Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 24 Feb. 2026
  • To reach the state meet, Riley Kongkaeow has had to overcome an injury that limited her to 22 matches.
    Bobby Narang, Chicago Tribune, 24 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Newsom successfully defeated the most recent recall attempt in 2021.
    David Mark, The Washington Examiner, 27 Feb. 2026
  • In a September 1, 1939, article, the Bombers claimed their second consecutive state championship on August 27, 1939, behind the pitching of Lillian Brown, who defeated the Manette girls’ team 11-3.
    Sarah Dewberry, CNN Money, 27 Feb. 2026

Cite this Entry

“Subject.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/subject. Accessed 1 Mar. 2026.

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