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
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
6 July 2026
Just thinking of what his subjects, used to the continuity of antiquity, might have made of this makes the heart flutter.
—
Chandrahas Choudhury,
Condé Nast Traveler,
5 July 2026
As the shipping industry gathered for a major conference in Athens, the growing flow of dark transits was one of the key subjects of conversation.
—
Weilun Soon,
Fortune,
5 July 2026
Remember, on July 4, 1776, most people had been, through time, subjects.
—
NBC news,
5 July 2026
The ordinance that restricts yoga instruction at city parks does not outlaw teaching other subjects including tai chi and Shakespeare, the city has conceded in court proceedings.
—
Alex Wigglesworth,
Los Angeles Times,
2 July 2026
For the first time, middle school students will participate in summer programs focused on artificial intelligence, STEM subjects, mathematics, science, and English.
—
Amelie Botbol,
FOXNews.com,
2 July 2026
Colonists down south, especially fierce New England Protestants who took a dim view of Catholicism, viewed this act – and their new fellow imperial subjects – with dismay and considerable suspicion.
—
Sarah M.s. Pearsall,
The Conversation,
2 July 2026
The two have been subjects of study and fascination ever since.
—
Rob Salkowitz,
Forbes.com,
26 June 2026
Sean Lee,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2026
Rather than discarding the residual sludge left behind after conventional anaerobic digestion, the system subjects it to an additional treatment stage known as Advanced Wet Oxidation and Steam Explosion (AWOEx).
—
New Atlas,
9 May 2026
Ridestore subjects materials to failure testing during both development and production, evaluating bond strength in laminated membranes, water-repellency performance and trim durability before materials move into manufacturing.
—
Alexandra Harrell,
Footwear News,
6 May 2026
Demand is highest when the weather is at its worst, which subjects you to freezing temperatures and rotten road conditions.
—
Kathy Kristof,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 Apr. 2026
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
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
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
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
Noun
To burn Ormund out, Rhaenyra would have to cremate her own subjects.
—
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
6 July 2026
Just thinking of what his subjects, used to the continuity of antiquity, might have made of this makes the heart flutter.
—
Chandrahas Choudhury,
Condé Nast Traveler,
5 July 2026
As the shipping industry gathered for a major conference in Athens, the growing flow of dark transits was one of the key subjects of conversation.
—
Weilun Soon,
Fortune,
5 July 2026
Remember, on July 4, 1776, most people had been, through time, subjects.
—
NBC news,
5 July 2026
The ordinance that restricts yoga instruction at city parks does not outlaw teaching other subjects including tai chi and Shakespeare, the city has conceded in court proceedings.
—
Alex Wigglesworth,
Los Angeles Times,
2 July 2026
For the first time, middle school students will participate in summer programs focused on artificial intelligence, STEM subjects, mathematics, science, and English.
—
Amelie Botbol,
FOXNews.com,
2 July 2026
Colonists down south, especially fierce New England Protestants who took a dim view of Catholicism, viewed this act – and their new fellow imperial subjects – with dismay and considerable suspicion.
—
Sarah M.s. Pearsall,
The Conversation,
2 July 2026
The two have been subjects of study and fascination ever since.
—
Rob Salkowitz,
Forbes.com,
26 June 2026
Verb
Instead, the law subjects issuers to the Bank Secrecy Act, enforcing strict anti-money laundering and sanctions compliance programs.
—
Sean Lee,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2026
Rather than discarding the residual sludge left behind after conventional anaerobic digestion, the system subjects it to an additional treatment stage known as Advanced Wet Oxidation and Steam Explosion (AWOEx).
—
New Atlas,
9 May 2026
Ridestore subjects materials to failure testing during both development and production, evaluating bond strength in laminated membranes, water-repellency performance and trim durability before materials move into manufacturing.
—
Alexandra Harrell,
Footwear News,
6 May 2026
Demand is highest when the weather is at its worst, which subjects you to freezing temperatures and rotten road conditions.
—
Kathy Kristof,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 Apr. 2026
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
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
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for subjects
Noun
-
Support journalism that digs deeper into topics that matter most to Arkansans.
-
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.
Noun
-
According to Smith, citizens of East Florida even burned the leaders behind the Declaration of Independence in effigy.
-
But Trump responded by urging Congress to adopt through legislation the restrictions against allowing the children of temporary visitors or undocumented immigrants become citizens.
Noun
-
Both Kurtz and Langeliers cited workload and the need for rest during the long Major League Baseball season as reasons for their lack of interest.
-
Many areas have been exempted for a variety of reasons, including lots in hillside fire zones and lots in Historic Protection Overlay Zones.
Verb
-
Just one week after one powerhouse tied the other, that match has been broken as Swift once again conquers the tally.
-
That doesn’t mean robbing Billy of his shot at prying open Homelander’s skull, but with only a symbolic solution to Trump’s authoritarian rise — love conquers all!
Noun
-
To be sure, Maher’s ready wit and spontaneous repartee as a talk show host were central themes for the parade of chums who praised the honoree.
-
Those same themes also underpin Goldman's latest commodity outlook.
Noun
-
Citing national security concerns, foreign nationals were abruptly banned access to the systems last month—so Anthropic took them both down.
-
Anthropic suspended its most capable models last month after the government ordered the company to curtail access for foreign nationals, citing national security concerns.
Noun
-
The motives and the methods are also a big part of the puzzle.
-
When Brown asked to see the cache of papers, the librarian grilled her about her motives.
Verb
-
Schindler said scientists who oppose Pluto's planethood typically favor a dynamical definition focused on how a body interacts with and dominates its orbital environment.
-
From hip hop to Amy Sherald, African American creative expression dominates global culture.
Cite this Entry
“Subjects.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/subjects. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
