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
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
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
as in dependent
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
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
Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 14 Oct. 2025
Were the subject banal or frivolous, the approach would offer no more than one caper after another.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 7 Oct. 2025
Kristen Fischer, Health, 30 Oct. 2025
Its subject is Talver Vermillion, the sister of Geralt’s young companion Beata.
—Scott Meslow, Vulture, 30 Oct. 2025
Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 21 Oct. 2025
That’s rich coming from a legislature that refuses to subject itself to a basic audit.
—Paul Craney, Boston Herald, 17 Oct. 2025
Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 14 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for subject
Noun
He is considered a subject-matter expert on India and South Asian affairs in his role at the Office of Net Assessment.
—Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 14 Oct. 2025
Were the subject banal or frivolous, the approach would offer no more than one caper after another.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 7 Oct. 2025
Verb
However, research on the subject is fairly sparse.
—Kristen Fischer, Health, 30 Oct. 2025
Its subject is Talver Vermillion, the sister of Geralt’s young companion Beata.
—Scott Meslow, Vulture, 30 Oct. 2025
Noun
The move would subject SpaceX to competition from space technology rivals like Blue Origin and Lockheed Martin.
—Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 21 Oct. 2025
That’s rich coming from a legislature that refuses to subject itself to a basic audit.
—Paul Craney, Boston Herald, 17 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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
-
Glasner’s main strength has been coaching teams who play in transition, not teams who dominate possession.—
Liam Tharme,
New York Times,
31 Oct. 2025
-
Its unique ability to test large, complex systems under realistic conditions continues to draw industry partnerships, even in an era dominated by computer simulations.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
30 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
So much of the success the Leafs will have this season — for better or worse — is dependent on that shot.—
Joshua Kloke,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
-
And this model of access, dependent on negotiation and renegotiation and repeated discussions about individual items, is neither sustainable nor capable of delivering aid at the scale that is needed.—
Anna Halford,
Time,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The Arden Arcade crash ended the chase before deputies sent in a K-9 to subdue the suspect, said sheriff’s officials.—
Darrell Smith,
Sacbee.com,
28 Oct. 2025
-
Officers then tried to subdue him with less-lethal beanbag rounds and a K-9 unit, but those attempts were unsuccessful.—
Caleb Lunetta,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Over that time, galaxies, galaxy groups, and galaxy clusters all formed bound structures.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
27 Oct. 2025
-
Vorobok searched the library’s newspaper databases as well as city directories, Sanborn maps and bound editions of the original century-old newspapers, then compiled it all online with the help of the digital services team.—
Jeff Suess,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
26 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Want to know more about latest viral trend to conquer short nails?—
Laura Solla,
Glamour,
25 Oct. 2025
-
Amy Schumer has conquered comedy and television.—
Edward Segarra,
USA Today,
24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
His brother, god of hunting and tracking, is caught in the cruel paradox of parole — somehow still unfree and searching for liberty and purpose, yearning for the seeming escape of his own car on the open road, always in danger of being hunted down himself.—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Their robust negations appeared to put both them and their American hosts on the right side of history, compared with writers in the unfree world of authoritarian regimes, who seemed to have been permanently tainted by lies, equivocations, and evasions.—
Pankaj Mishra,
Harpers Magazine,
16 July 2025
Verb
-
Conversely, poor initial AI experiences create resistance that’s difficult to overcome.—
François Candelon,
Fortune,
31 Oct. 2025
-
The researchers overcame this by using molecular beam epitaxy, a precise technique for growing ultra-thin crystal layers.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
In 2024, Westerman easily won reelection, defeating Democrat Risie Howard with 73% of the vote.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
31 Oct. 2025
-
That was a contest in which Gay defeated her husband’s team, as Claire is married to Brock head coach Nick Gay, who has been leading that program for four years after a five-year stint at Weatherford.—
Mike Waters,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
31 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Subject.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/subject. Accessed 3 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share