themes

noun

plural of theme
1
as in topics
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in articles
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 essays
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

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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 themes But no one owns themes, fortunately for Swift, especially, but for everyone else too. — Chris Willman, Variety, 6 July 2026 His themes are learned; his settings numerous and far-flung; his imagination apocalyptic, but very, very funny. — Merve Emre, New Yorker, 28 June 2026 There are eight collections to consider, and, if six prints are too many for your bathroom, Haus and Hues offers a set of three with similar themes. — Bestreviews, Mercury News, 6 July 2026 The president’s campaign-style address mixed patriotic themes with warnings about domestic and foreign threats. — Lauren Morganbesser, semafor.com, 5 July 2026 Families with wizards and wizards-in-training had a chance to mingle with professors of the magical arts based on themes in the Harry Potter books. — Greg Harutunian, Chicago Tribune, 29 June 2026 Those same themes also underpin Goldman's latest commodity outlook. — Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 29 June 2026 Unlike traditional mummy films featuring sarcophagi, this version focuses on body horror and themes of grief, framing the daughter’s transformation as a grotesque possession story. — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026 Much like its predecessor, Yellowstone, the show leans into themes of rural politics and shady Western dealings — all the hallmarks that Taylor Sheridan fans know and love. — Emily Weaver, PEOPLE, 5 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for themes
  1. topics
  2. articles
  3. essays
  4. motifs
  5. papers
  6. matters
  7. stories
  8. questions
Noun
  • Support journalism that digs deeper into topics that matter most to Arkansans.
    — Kelly Brant, Arkansas Online, 5 July 2026
  • This criticism may belie a bid to make complex topics more easily accessible to audiences ranging from Wall Street to the man on the street.
    — Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 3 July 2026
Definition of topics
Noun
  • On the walls, black-and-white printouts of newspaper articles, magazines and book pages looked like they were plucked from a Pinterest board on scrapbooking.
    — Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026
  • The internet is swarming with articles and videos decrying the decision.
    — Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
Definition of articles
Noun
  • Artificial intelligence has complicated the reliability of admissions essays.
    — Scott White, Forbes.com, 5 July 2026
  • Woolf composed her great modernist novels and her brilliant essays while troubled by suicidal thoughts and the tumult of two world wars.
    — The Week US, TheWeek, 1 July 2026
Definition of essays
Noun
  • The hotel’s design, by Stonehill Taylor, marries New England iconography with Asian motifs that ring true to Raffles’ origins in Singapore.
    — Andrew Sessa, Robb Report, 2 July 2026
  • Designers like Chloé continue to embrace billowy blouses, floral motifs, and XL belts, while Dior doubled down on blooms in its Haute Couture collection.
    — Amanda Le, InStyle, 2 July 2026
Definition of motifs
Noun
  • Remarkably, in 2019, Correia beat out a recall vote from the City Council by utilizing a section of the City Charter allowing the subject of a recall to file nomination papers for the next election and run to succeed themselves.
    — Tim Dunn, Boston Herald, 6 July 2026
  • Mateo Rosiles is the Texas Connect reporter for USA TODAY and its regional papers in Texas.
    — Mateo Rosiles, USA Today, 6 July 2026
Definition of papers
Noun
  • So the Heat are confident and Giannis is confident, which is what matters.
    — Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 5 July 2026
  • Skeptic count matters because venture capital has priced these labs at unprecedented multiples.
    — Josipa Majic Predin, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026
Definition of matters
Noun
  • Partners have no control over or input into the reporting or editing process and do not review stories before publication.
    — Data Skrive, New York Times, 5 July 2026
  • The history of Kaskaskia is full of stories of resilience and stubborn pride, but also of the inevitability of nature.
    — Andrew Carter, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026
Definition of stories
Noun
  • The lengthy delay to the funeral has raised questions about how Khamenei's remains have been preserved, as Islamic tradition, anaylsts say, generally calls for prompt burial and discourages chemical embalming.
    — Emma Bussey, FOXNews.com, 2 July 2026
  • An independent autopsy requested by the family of a 1-year-old boy who was fatally shot by police in Mississippi raises new questions about officers' actions, adding to growing calls for transparency in the weeks since the shooting.
    — Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 2 July 2026
Definition of questions

Browse Nearby Words

theme
themes
(the) mob
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Cite this Entry

“Themes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/themes. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on themes

Nglish: Translation of themes for Spanish Speakers

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