subject 1 of 3

noun

ˈsəb-jikt How to pronounce subject (audio)
Definition of subjectnext
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

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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

subject

2 of 3

verb

səb-ˈjekt How to pronounce subject (audio)
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

subject

3 of 3

adjective

as in dependent

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

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

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
By letting its subjects speak for themselves without imposing judgments, the film offers a poetic view of alternative ways of life. — Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 24 Oct. 2026 Very often, a viral news story about animals is a comedy to its audience and an unmitigated tragedy to its subjects. — Marina Bolotnikova, Vox, 24 Oct. 2026
Verb
The Times and the Express-News reported this year that Texas’ multi-billion-dollar investment in school policing had transformed discipline, subjecting thousands of students to physical force, at times over seemingly minor misconduct. — Kristian Hernández, San Antonio Express-News, 15 Oct. 2026 The Times and The Express-News reported this year that Texas’ multi-billion-dollar investment in school policing had transformed discipline, subjecting thousands of students to physical force, at times over seemingly minor misconduct. — Rosie Cima, New York Times, 15 Oct. 2026
Adjective
Moore said the company’s work with a major global bank demonstrates the operational value of combining proprietary intelligence, subject-matter expertise and implementation support. — Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 2 Oct. 2026 Janelle Fritts, a senior policy analyst with the group, said tying a state budget to the market could create uncertainty and subject revenue to dramatic swings. — Jack Harvel, Kansas City Star, 22 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for subject
Recent Examples of Synonyms for subject
  1. topic
  2. citizen
  3. reason
  4. dominate
  5. dependent
  6. matter
  7. national
  8. grounds
Noun
  • Under Burgum's 2025 campaign, signs, books, films and exhibits covering topics such as slavery, climate change and the massacre of Native Americans were flagged and removed from national parks and monuments nationwide.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Aside from clashing over national topics like tariffs, the Iran war, artificial intelligence and Social Security, the candidates were asked about jobs in Michigan, the auto industry and education.
    — DeJanay Booth-Singleton, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of topic
Noun
  • Every summer, the state plays host to the largest, longest-running citizen bike tour in the world.
    — Washington Post, Washington Post, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Those convicted of lying on applications to become American citizens face up to a decade.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of citizen
Noun
  • For next year’s admissions, institutions would have to publish more detailed selection criteria and explain rejections when applicants request reasons.
    — Thomas Adamson, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2026
  • For that reason, Republicans believe the seat is a likely pickup this fall in what is otherwise a difficult midterm environment.
    — David Sivak, The Washington Examiner, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of reason
Verb
  • Vucic dominated Serbian politics since becoming president of the Serbian Progressive Party, or SNS, in 2012, then becoming prime minister in 2014, then switching over to president in 2017.
    — Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 27 Oct. 2026
  • Club name Meta Platforms , as well as SpaceX and Anthropic, are dominating the headlines on Monday with plans to raise their share of the shrinking capital pie for the next legs of their AI ambitions.
    — Zev Fima, CNBC, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of dominate
Adjective
  • Too dependent on one style Nike bought Converse for $305 million in 2003, seeing enormous potential to rehabilitate an iconic brand.
    — Phil Wahba, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Yet Manzatto emphasizes that his strategy is not to turn Church’s into a fashion brand dependent on constant novelty.
    — Luke Leitch, Vogue, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of dependent
Noun
  • Beyond criminal matters, the office is involved in other efforts.
    — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Oct. 2026
  • But victory is far from assured, and the polling numbers – which can be inaccurate – matter less than Israel’s coalition arithmetic.
    — Tal Shalev, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of matter
Noun
  • The Department of Justice’s prosecution of a Saudi national for allegedly bugging an OpenAI conference room is causing anxiety among OpenAI employees, many of whom are foreign nationals.
    — Benjamin Guggenheim, Washington Post, 23 Oct. 2026
  • American nationals are among those who have come under attack while accompanying Palestinian farmers on their harvests.
    — Chantal Da Silva, NBC news, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of national
Noun
  • The column warns that the disputes could extend beyond the election, potentially providing grounds to challenge results or undermine their legitimacy.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
  • The park is just part of a 247-acre property, owned by Ada County, that also hosts the Western Idaho Fair grounds and the Boise Hawks baseball stadium.
    — Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of grounds

Phrases Containing subject

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subintervals
subject
subjected
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Cite this Entry

“Subject.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/subject. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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