Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

Thesaurus

theme

noun

Synonyms and Antonyms of theme

1 a major object of interest or concern (as in a discussion or artistic composition)

  • this dance piece deals with the timeless themes of birth and death
Synonyms of theme

content, matter, motif, motive, question, subject, topic
Words Related to theme

subject matter

talking point

count, idea, point, purpose

consideration, issue, problem

body, bulk, burden, centerpiece, core, crux, essence, fundamental, generality, gist, grist, heart, kernel, keynote, main, marrow, mass, net, nub, nubbin, nucleus, pith, pivot, purport, quick, staple, substance, sum

basis

bottom, essential, essentiality

affair, argument, debate
Near Antonyms of theme

aside, digression, excursion, interjection, parenthesis, tangent

2 a short piece of writing done as a school exercise

  • please write a one page theme on the main character of this book
Synonyms of theme

composition, paper
Words Related to theme

article, essay, story

3 a short piece of writing typically expressing a point of view

  • the magazine will award a scholarship to the student who writes the best theme on the concept of personal freedom
Synonyms of theme

article, composition, essay, paper
Words Related to theme

causerie

column, commentary, editorial, feature, report, review, write-up

dissertation, thesis

tract, treatise

discourse, discussion, exposition, prolegomenon, study

Learn More about theme

  1. See words that rhyme with theme Dictionary: Definition of theme Spanish Central: Translation of theme Nglish: Translation of theme for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of theme for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up theme? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show comments hide comments

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

WORD OF THE DAY

admonish

to express warning or disapproval

Get Word of the Day daily email!

TRENDING NOW

  1. gaslight It is a word, though.

  2. invasion CNN reporter questions President.

  3. relevancy Ariana Grande slams ex-fiancé.

SEE ALL

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games