subject 1 of 4

1
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 4

verb

subjection

3 of 4

noun (2)

subject

4 of 4

adjective

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
The album’s tracks are built for high school and college students and adheres to National and State Learning Standards in multiple subject areas. Arionne Nettles, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2025 The initial episodes will find best-sellers on location at subject-suitable monuments. Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 25 Aug. 2025
Verb
Another scholar, Kathy Justice Gentile, has also dug deep into the subject of dirt in Austen’s major fiction. Literary Hub, 4 Sep. 2025 Any one visiting Russia in the past will know when the subject of China comes up, there are perpetual suspicions toward its territorial intentions in the far east of the country. Kerry Brown, Time, 4 Sep. 2025
Noun
Trump has a difficult relationship with Zelensky, subjecting the Ukrainian leader to public and pointed criticism during his visit to the Oval Office in February. Ellie Cook, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Aug. 2025 Additional sanctions could subject Robinson to probation, suspension, termination or a host of possible penalties related to promotions, tenure or salary, according to IU code. Cate Charron, IndyStar, 15 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for subject
Recent Examples of Synonyms for subject
Verb
  • The division’s ‘Big Six’ dominated spending again, though that was hardly new.
    Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2025
  • In the Chinese foldable phone category, Huawei dominates with a 75% share of the market, according to the International Data Corporation (IDC).
    Arjun Kharpal, CNBC, 4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Moore previously served as the defense attorney for Louise and David Turpin, the California couple who abused and imprisoned their 13 children and dependent adults in a 'house of horrors' for years.
    Chris Spargo, PEOPLE, 5 Sep. 2025
  • The bill, which would ban members, their spouses, and dependent children from individual stock trading, combines several pieces of legislation that have been introduced in the lower chamber.
    Hailey Bullis, The Washington Examiner, 5 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The surge of consumer spending on pickleball and other sports in China comes as overall retail sales have been subdued since the pandemic.
    Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 2 Sep. 2025
  • While sales of existing homes have ticked up recently, they are still subdued and prices are flat.
    Preston Fore, Fortune, 30 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • With Freakier Friday hitting theaters, we’re all bound to be hit by a wave of nostalgia.
    Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2025
  • Corrections officers strap the black-and-blue mask with a plexiglass face shield to the bound inmate, Hood said, removing his glasses and instructing another person present strap the mask tightly to his face, before breathing deeply.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 15 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Deftones’ History on the Streaming Ranking Deftones first conquered the Hard Rock Streaming Songs list just last month.
    Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 6 Sep. 2025
  • Netanyahu initially said Israel would conquer all of Gaza after indirect talks with Hamas on a ceasefire and hostage release deal broke down in July.
    Emma Bussey, FOXNews.com, 5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Their robust negations appeared to put both them and their American hosts on the right side of history, compared with writers in the unfree world of authoritarian regimes, who seemed to have been permanently tainted by lies, equivocations, and evasions.
    Pankaj Mishra, Harpers Magazine, 16 July 2025
  • What does liberty mean and how can it be lived in an unfree world?
    Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Outperforming some of them on the pitch is one thing, but Newcastle cannot yet overcome the off-field strength of the ‘Big Six’.
    Oliver Kay, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2025
  • Part of the presentation focused on helping people overcome their fear of being ostracized for having plants seen as too wild.
    Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Colleyville Heritage defeated Richland 30-21 in a game halted early in the third quarter after a second lightning delay Friday at Mustang-Panther Stadium.
    Jordan Neal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 Sep. 2025
  • Dryden also represented his country several times, most notably helping Team Canada defeat the Soviet Union in the 1972 Summit Series.
    Jesse Granger, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Subject.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/subject. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

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