SUBJECT MATTERS Synonyms: 59 Similar and Opposite Words

subject matters

noun

plural of subject matter

as in topics

the information or ideas that are discussed or dealt with in a book, movie, etc.; what something is about I found the film's subject matter to be quite disturbing. The magazine's editors care more about style than about subject matter. She disapproves of the artist's choice of subject matter.

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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 matters The lawsuit spotlights ongoing industry concerns about the mental health of crew and producers, including those working on documentaries dealing with traumatic subject matters. — Jake Kanter, Deadline, 15 July 2026 Special sessions are called by the governor or by a petition of three-fifths of the members of both the state House and Senate and are limited to specific subject matters. — Sophia Eppley, AJC.com, 17 June 2026 The ability to read and comprehend is a foundational skill without which students are doomed to fail in mathematics and other subject matters. — Dan Walters, Mercury News, 21 Mar. 2026 Certified teachers will provide small group tutoring assistance for all subject matters for students in second through eighth grade. — Mike Danahey, Chicago Tribune, 5 Feb. 2026 Her subject matters have always been serious, but the artist has struggled with how the art institutions responded to her work. — Hikmat Mohammed, Footwear News, 17 Oct. 2025 But the District works very hard to produce a curriculum that is focused on the tools that will best expand our students' understanding of subject matters. — Grace Tucker, Cincinnati Enquirer, 13 Oct. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for subject matters

Noun

Both candidates wove personal attacks and affordability points into questions that a panel of journalists from across the state asked on a variety of topics.

— Anna Giaritelli, The Washington Examiner, 9 Oct. 2026
Collectively the display contributes to enriching knowledge of and challenging conventions on ocean topics.

— Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of topics

Noun

Investigators obtained phone metadata through a pen register, a surveillance tool that records information such as numbers contacted and the timing of calls, rather than the contents of conversations.

— Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 5 Oct. 2026
Officers closed the Macy’s side of the parking garage while bomb squad officers examined the contents of the suitcase.

— David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of contents

Noun

Though grounded in a particular culture, the film deals with ambition, desire and social change, themes the producer believes will speak to audiences internationally.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 10 Oct. 2026
But the seeds are planted quickly for weightier themes to be explored later.

— Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of themes

Noun

Rooms feature lanais, rattan furniture, and carpeting with bamboo motifs.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
Floral motifs appear throughout the mosque’s floors and walls, while columns rise like flower stems, each inlaid with mother-of-pearl and semi-precious stones that climb toward capitals shaped like palm fronds.

— Kieron Marchese, Architectural Digest, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of motifs

Noun

What readers are saying The comments reflect skepticism and criticism towards Israel and its actions, with some commenters questioning the credibility of Israeli intelligence and the motives behind certain events.

— Matthew Hay Brown, Washington Post, 9 Oct. 2026
With the unanswered questions around Adelaide’s motives, some have compared her to a Professor X of the Stephen King onscreen universe, while awaiting answers in a potential Season 2.

— Glenn Garner, Deadline, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of motives

Noun

The nonprofit has championed South Asian voices in film, art and storytelling since 2002, giving a platform to work on subjects such as caste, gender and sexuality.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 9 Oct. 2026
The picture painted from the interview subjects, who occasionally draw sketches of weapons-screen interfaces on notepads, is of a computerized tracking-and-killing apparatus, culled from the surveillance Israel keeps of nearly every phone in Gaza.

— Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of subjects

Noun

No student information is to be disclosed for immigration enforcement purposes without a court order or subpoena, according to state law.

— Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 7 Oct. 2026
Other independents in the Senate, including Maine's Angus King on the moderate end and Vermont's Bernie Sanders on the left, caucus with Democrats for organizational purposes and committee assignments.

— NICHOLAS INGRAM, Arkansas Online, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of purposes

Noun

For Republicans, well, there’s not much downside at all, except for those that truly despise green power or, perhaps wisely, fear increasing federal authority over local permitting matters.

— Jordan Blum, Fortune, 11 Oct. 2026
That includes Teams data, emails or chats where employees may have discussed health or personal matters.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of matters

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subject matter

subject matters

subjects

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“Subject matters.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/subject%20matters. Accessed 11 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of subject matters

noun

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