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

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verb

subject

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adjective

subjection

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noun (2)

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

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

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
Anitta, the subject of a 2025 Netflix documentary, has shows in Mexico City and Sao Paulo later this month. William Vaillancourt, Rolling Stone, 12 Apr. 2026 As an author, Keefe has specialized in untangling shadowy networks, whether that’s the Provisional IRA or the Sackler family, whose role in the opioid crisis via their ownership of Purdue Pharma was the subject of his book Empire of Pain. Julian Sancton, HollywoodReporter, 11 Apr. 2026
Verb
The judges zoomed in on the level of federal involvement needed to trigger a federal law that would subject the complex of tents and trailers, built on an airstrip in the Big Cypress National Preserve, to an environmental review. Miami Herald, 7 Apr. 2026 Monarch is also subject the league’s institutional investment policy, which limits information and does not include any voting rights. Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico.com, 6 Apr. 2026
Adjective
The scheme was based on the laws of quantum physics — a subject Brassard, a computer scientist, knew nothing about. Ben Brubaker, Quanta Magazine, 18 Mar. 2026 McDonough and Stewart’s long-brewing relationship, which began when McDonough profiled the singer for The Village Voice in the late eighties, eschewed the formality or distance of a traditional journalist and subject. Jonathan Bernstein, Rolling Stone, 17 Mar. 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
  • While French and English companies have long dominated the extraction industry in Cameroon, Chinese companies have established a significant presence in recent years, particularly in the gold mining regions of the east.
    ABC News, ABC News, 16 Apr. 2026
  • It’s been nearly a decade since California voters legalized recreational cannabis, but production and sales remain outlawed in most of the state — and the black market dominates.
    Grant Stringer, Mercury News, 16 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • The camp is entirely dependent on aid, disrupted after cuts by USAID last year and again by fighting between Syrian and Kurdish forces this February.
    Jane Arraf, NPR, 11 Apr. 2026
  • Bosch went on to emphasize that the impact the Miss Universe crown could have was dependent on the person wearing it.
    Tabitha Parent, PEOPLE, 11 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • They were abandoned during the Mongol invasion in 1241 and then subdued by the Ottoman empire in 1526.
    Isaac Stanley-Becker, The Atlantic, 10 Apr. 2026
  • Worley physically fought the officer who used a Taser to subdue him, an affidavit states.
    Meredith Colias-Pete, Chicago Tribune, 9 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • If your plant isn’t dormant at the time of repotting, take extra care with the roots, says Estrada, gently loosening any bound root balls when necessary.
    Michelle Mastro, The Spruce, 12 Mar. 2026
  • The Dodgers’ split-squad group that journeyed the 14 miles from Glendale (and ultimately lost to Texas, 7-6) was largely a skeleton crew of Triple-A bound prospects and wannabes.
    Tim Cowlishaw, Dallas Morning News, 28 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • One after another, the avatars of Democratic success in Georgia took the stage Saturday and were greeted like conquering heroes by hundreds of party faithful at the annual Carter-Lewis gala.
    Greg Bluestein, AJC.com, 12 Apr. 2026
  • Basically, look for a design that looks like as though was made for walking in the Mediterranean, but also for conquering the city streets.
    Alex Sales, Glamour, 9 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Other places had other forms of unfree or bonded labor.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 25 Mar. 2026
  • 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
Verb
  • The Timberwolves overcame a 15-point halftime deficit — the largest comeback in a Game 7 in NBA playoff history — behind Edwards, who had just four points, no rebounds and three assists at halftime but finished with 16 points, eight boards and seven assists.
    Anthony Bettin, CBS News, 14 Apr. 2026
  • Even after struggling out of the gate with a 4-14 start, which was partially due to having to overcome Brandon Miller’s shoulder injury in the second game of the season, Charlotte stockpiled a 44-38 mark.
    Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 14 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Caroline Spadorcia went 2-for-4 with two doubles, two runs and two RBI as Archbishop Williams (4-3) defeated Latin Academy, 6-3.
    Tyler McManus, Boston Herald, 18 Apr. 2026
  • Hamadeh was elected to a reliably red West Valley district in 2024 after being defeated by Mayes in 2022.
    Arizona Republic, AZCentral.com, 17 Apr. 2026

Cite this Entry

“Subject.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/subject. Accessed 20 Apr. 2026.

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