1
as in topic
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 & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in article
a short piece of writing done as a school exercise
please write a one page theme on the main character of this book
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in essay
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 & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of theme
As Lucy, Stephen, and their friends become intertwined in each others’ lives, the show explores themes of narcissism, emotional abuse, blackmail, and toxic codependency.
—
Grace McCarty, Glamour, 17 Feb. 2026
This certainly seemed to be true for those in this room, many of whom had leaned into the theme with bubblegum-pink lip gloss and sky-high heels.
—Cami Fateh, Vogue, 17 Feb. 2026
Musician and former television host John Tesh performed his iconic NBA on NBC theme music ahead of Sunday’s NBA All-Star game at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, marking the first time the 73-year-old had ever played the song live inside a sporting venue.
—Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 17 Feb. 2026
The main themes that Rubio hit were the profoundly damaging consequences of unfettered free trade and mass migration.
—Eliot A. Cohen, The Atlantic, 17 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for theme
Grace McCarty, Glamour, 17 Feb. 2026
This certainly seemed to be true for those in this room, many of whom had leaned into the theme with bubblegum-pink lip gloss and sky-high heels.
—Cami Fateh, Vogue, 17 Feb. 2026
Musician and former television host John Tesh performed his iconic NBA on NBC theme music ahead of Sunday’s NBA All-Star game at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, marking the first time the 73-year-old had ever played the song live inside a sporting venue.
—Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 17 Feb. 2026
The main themes that Rubio hit were the profoundly damaging consequences of unfettered free trade and mass migration.
—Eliot A. Cohen, The Atlantic, 17 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for theme
Recent Examples of Synonyms for theme
Noun
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Recommendations for future trips At a minimum, the inspector general’s office said, the LAPD should keep track of the location, category and topics covered at each training event.—
Andrew J. Campa,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Feb. 2026
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Individual courses cover a wide range of topics, including retirement planning, writing novels, the business of athletes and artists, and the ancient Japanese art of ikebana, or flower arranging.—
Cheyanne Mumphrey,
Fortune,
22 Feb. 2026
Noun
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But Paramount, which declined to comment for this article, has not been shy about playing its political cards.—
Meg James,
Los Angeles Times,
24 Feb. 2026
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To send a letter to the editor about this article, submit online or check out our guidelines for how to submit by email or mail.—
Ted Williams,
Denver Post,
24 Feb. 2026
Noun
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In his second term in 2013, Obama hand wrote an essay submitted to the Lincoln Presidential Library to mark the 150th anniversary of Lincoln's Gettysburg Address.—
Jim Williams,
CBS News,
21 Feb. 2026
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Gayheart, meanwhile, penned an essay for The Cut that December that offered an inside glimpse at how her family was coping with the diagnosis.—
Emma Banks,
InStyle,
20 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Growth has slowed, discretionary spending is under pressure, and visibility alone — whether through celebrity endorsements, capsule collections, or familiar zodiac motifs — no longer guarantees resonance, let alone conversion.—
Yiling Pan,
Vogue,
17 Feb. 2026
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The walkways are illuminated with a changing motif of paw prints, DNA strands, and the letters G, A, T and C, representing the DNA building blocks.—
Mike Snider,
USA Today,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
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One of his most notable accomplishments was a paper published in 2007 about the presence of water on a distant planet outside our solar system.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Feb. 2026
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The plant was fully integrated into the paper mill’s heat generation infrastructure.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
20 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Illinois, meanwhile, had no issue raining shots from long range in the first half, or speeding past USC through the lane, for that matter.—
Ryan Kartje,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Feb. 2026
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The appeals court didn’t attempt to resolve the underlying issue, but agreed with state officials that Huntington Beach’s charter-city status doesn’t give it the authority over election-integrity issues, which are a state matter.—
The Editorial Board,
Oc Register,
18 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Elsewhere, stories of economic gloom – from galloping inflation to restaurant closures and the knock-on impact of severe tax increases – describe the many ways in which the prolonged war in Ukraine is now hitting Russians hard in the pocket at home.—
Matthew Chance,
CNN Money,
21 Feb. 2026
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Subscribe to read this story ad-free Get unlimited access to ad-free articles and exclusive content.—
Jared Perlo,
NBC news,
20 Feb. 2026
Noun
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He’s made no official announcements yet, and the person who picked up a Friday call to his campaign phone line did not answer a question about whether any decisions had been made.—
Sarah Cutler,
Idaho Statesman,
21 Feb. 2026
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The upcoming historic mission, expected to lift off as soon as early March, will mark the first time humans have ventured to the moon’s vicinity in more than 50 years — and kick-start a new wave of lunar exploration that could answer enduring questions about Earth’s natural satellite.—
Ashley Strickland,
CNN Money,
21 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Theme.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/theme. Accessed 24 Feb. 2026.
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