SUBJECT Synonyms: 169 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

subject 1 of 3

noun

ˈsəb-jikt

Definition of subject next

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

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Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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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

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subject

2 of 3

verb

səb-ˈjekt

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

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subject

3 of 3

adjective

as in dependent

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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

Examples 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

The shoe even became the subject of a viral story on TikTok, in which a New York man stole a pair after a date, which was covered by Vogue, Dazed and The New York Times. —

Lucy Maguire, Vogue, 11 Dec. 2024 That imbroglio is the subject of a new three-part docuseries premiering on Netflix this week, The Kings of Tupelo: A Southern Crime Saga. —

Ben Brachfeld, People.com, 11 Dec. 2024

Verb

The political scientists Steven Levitsky and Lucan Way have shown that countries with economic, social, and institutional ties to the West are more likely to democratize than those subjected solely to punitive measures. —

Francisco Rodríguez, Foreign Affairs, 28 Nov. 2024 Earlier this month, he was sued by a former Yeezy staffer who claims Kanye subjected him to antisemitic tirades. —

Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 27 Nov. 2024

Adjective

The Royalty Trust's overriding royalty interest in the onshore Highlander subject interest was fully impaired by $308,071 during the quarter ended March 31, 2023, due to the cessation of production. —

Quartz Bot, Quartz, 14 Nov. 2024 Put Fernando memories in the subject line of your email and send to me at fernandomemories@yahoo.com. World Series results Game 1: at Dodgers 6, New York 3 (10). —

Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 1 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for subject

Recent Examples of Synonyms for subject

Noun

The company’s markets team starts the bets after fielding interest in topics and taking suggestions from users.

Stephen Pastis, Forbes, 10 Dec. 2024
Support journalism that digs deeper into topics that matter most to Arkansans.

Remington Miller, arkansasonline.com, 10 Dec. 2024