1
as in topics
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 citizens
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 reasons
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 conquers
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
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 subjects
Dawn Chan, The New York Review of Books, 25 Apr. 2026
As Siâvash increasingly retreats into imaginary characters, the documentary traces a sibling relationship shaped and strained by displacement, set against a backdrop of escalating tension between Iran and the United States that carries personal consequences for both subjects.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 24 Apr. 2026
These are not very clippable subjects.
—Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 24 Apr. 2026
Police said multiple subjects were involved.
—Clifford Ward, Chicago Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026
The audience supplies 100% of the subjects for both the show and the between-scene, old-style radio ads.
—John Wenzel, Denver Post, 23 Apr. 2026
Only 22% of students across all grades and subjects met grade level on the most recent STAAR exams.
—Samuel O’Neal April 23, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Apr. 2026
Overall, 21 percent of subjects reported a cancer diagnosis.
—Rob Williams, EverydayHealth.com, 22 Apr. 2026
Attorneys for several subjects involved in the probe were informed Friday that Maria Medetis Long would not longer be handling the case moving forward, sources said.
—Alexander Mallin, ABC News, 17 Apr. 2026
Wcco Staff, CBS News, 23 Apr. 2026
And unfortunately, life has carried on as usual elsewhere in Gilead, which subjects its women to the same degree of brutal, misogynistic repression.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Apr. 2026
Most businesses would balk at creating a system that subjects some of its employees to public embarrassment.
—Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2026
Jude relocates this tale of troubled conscience to present-day Cluj-Napoca, in Transylvania, and subjects it to a corrosively cynical twist.
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 27 Mar. 2026
Hjorth, a devoted reader of Kierkegaard, subjects the mothers in her novels to a special kind of moral scrutiny.
—Elaine Blair, Harpers Magazine, 24 Feb. 2026
His case also lays bare a US immigration system that routinely subjects migrants to prolonged detention under harsh conditions – one that human rights organizations say overwhelmingly ensnares Black and brown people far from the public spotlight.
—Kara Fox, CNN Money, 10 Feb. 2026
The Miami Beach ordinance subjects people — mostly those who are homeless — to arrest for sleeping outside.
—Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 7 Dec. 2025
Red Team testing subjects the system to adversarial evaluation, ensuring resilience and reliability.
—Mark Howard, Time, 10 Nov. 2025
Noun
For centuries figurative sculptors have found ways to render their subjects in motion.
—Dawn Chan, The New York Review of Books, 25 Apr. 2026
As Siâvash increasingly retreats into imaginary characters, the documentary traces a sibling relationship shaped and strained by displacement, set against a backdrop of escalating tension between Iran and the United States that carries personal consequences for both subjects.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 24 Apr. 2026
These are not very clippable subjects.
—Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 24 Apr. 2026
Police said multiple subjects were involved.
—Clifford Ward, Chicago Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026
The audience supplies 100% of the subjects for both the show and the between-scene, old-style radio ads.
—John Wenzel, Denver Post, 23 Apr. 2026
Only 22% of students across all grades and subjects met grade level on the most recent STAAR exams.
—Samuel O’Neal April 23, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Apr. 2026
Overall, 21 percent of subjects reported a cancer diagnosis.
—Rob Williams, EverydayHealth.com, 22 Apr. 2026
Attorneys for several subjects involved in the probe were informed Friday that Maria Medetis Long would not longer be handling the case moving forward, sources said.
—Alexander Mallin, ABC News, 17 Apr. 2026
Verb
The legislation subjects companies in violation to a civil penalty of up to half a million dollars, and allows victims to seek damages.
—Wcco Staff, CBS News, 23 Apr. 2026
And unfortunately, life has carried on as usual elsewhere in Gilead, which subjects its women to the same degree of brutal, misogynistic repression.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Apr. 2026
Most businesses would balk at creating a system that subjects some of its employees to public embarrassment.
—Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2026
Jude relocates this tale of troubled conscience to present-day Cluj-Napoca, in Transylvania, and subjects it to a corrosively cynical twist.
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 27 Mar. 2026
Hjorth, a devoted reader of Kierkegaard, subjects the mothers in her novels to a special kind of moral scrutiny.
—Elaine Blair, Harpers Magazine, 24 Feb. 2026
His case also lays bare a US immigration system that routinely subjects migrants to prolonged detention under harsh conditions – one that human rights organizations say overwhelmingly ensnares Black and brown people far from the public spotlight.
—Kara Fox, CNN Money, 10 Feb. 2026
The Miami Beach ordinance subjects people — mostly those who are homeless — to arrest for sleeping outside.
—Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 7 Dec. 2025
Red Team testing subjects the system to adversarial evaluation, ensuring resilience and reliability.
—Mark Howard, Time, 10 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for subjects
Noun
-
Tensions have risen in recent months between the United States and the United Kingdom governments over a slew of topics, like the United States' joint war in Iran, the administration's tariffs and ongoing disagreements over theNATO military alliance.—
Kathryn Palmer,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2026
-
But topics also veer off to the mundane.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Recently, the nation of Hungary – standing at a democratic crossroads – met the moment, with record numbers of citizens turning out to elect a new leader, PĂ©ter Magyar.—
Steven P. Dinkin,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Rolling digital blackouts in Russian cities have touched a nerve with ordinary citizens and public pushback against Russian President Vladimir Putin is emerging.—
Nathan Hodge,
CNN Money,
26 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Of course, artists make choices in biographical shows for a whole variety of reasons, whether in service of the storytelling, to appease those who would prefer to remain anonymous or even self-protection.—
Chris Jones,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Apr. 2026
-
One of the primary reasons that some car buyers avoid vehicles with electric powertrains is the lengthy duration of charging sessions.—
Charles Singh,
USA Today,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
They're initially separated, because of John's military job that took him away from his family for so long, but their expedition brings them closer again, reminding them that love conquers all – even when you're lost in space.—
Sergio Pereira,
Space.com,
14 Feb. 2026
-
Cruise down Market Street—skimming past buzzing tech hubs—while your autonomous vehicle conquers steep hills and tight turns with uncanny precision.—
Lewis Nunn,
Forbes.com,
22 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Director Steven Spielberg’s film is buoyed by a sense of wonder and remains a sharp contrast with many of the decade’s more cynical cinematic themes.—
David Faris,
TheWeek,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Speed and trust were themes echoed by executives around the table.—
Diane Brady,
Fortune,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Among those onboard were two Kenyan nationals, while the rest were South Sudanese, officials said.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Dozens of community members rallied Sunday in North Miami to call on federal leaders to extend Temporary Protected Status for more than 350,000 Haitian nationals at risk of deportation.—
Sofia Saric,
Miami Herald,
26 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Her motives were really very sincere.—
Emily Longeretta,
Variety,
23 Apr. 2026
-
But despite the parity, parents’ motives and methods often vary.—
Chelsea Bailey,
CNN Money,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The rapid development of AI, which now dominates so much public discussion, will surely be as transformative as the development of the steam engine or electrical power in earlier times.—
Jed Perl,
The New York Review of Books,
25 Apr. 2026
-
High tide gives you the ethereal, hovering-on-water moment that dominates travel feeds.—
Lauren Schuster,
Miami Herald,
24 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Subjects.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/subjects. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
