Synonyms of subject

subject 1 of 4

noun (1)

ˈsəb-jikt 

1

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• topic
• matter
• theme
• question
• motif
• content
• essence
• idea
• motive
• issue
• purpose
• problem
• subject matter
• consideration
• basis
• substance
• core
• fundamental
• bulk
• heart
• count
• point
• body
• burden
• sum
• gist
• mass
• essential
• main
• debate
• crux
• nucleus
• staple
• net
• argument
• talking point
• kernel
• generality
• marrow
• pivot
• purport
• affair
• centerpiece
• bottom
• grist
• pith
• keynote
• quick
• nub
• essentiality
• nubbin

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• aside
• tangent
• excursion
• digression
• parenthesis
• interjection

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

• citizen
• national
• freeman
• resident
• inhabitant
• countryman
• native
• nonimmigrant
• compatriot

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• alien
• stranger
• foreigner
• noncitizen
• immigrant
• nonnative

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

• reason
• grounds
• motive
• why
• authority
• cause
• consideration
• account
• wherefore
• impetus
• occasion
• stimulus
• incentive
• inspiration
• antecedent
• instigation

subject

2 of 4

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• dominate
• conquer
• subdue
• overcome
• defeat
• subordinate
• reduce
• subjugate
• enslave
• vanquish
• overpower
• beat
• pacify
• crush
• prevail (over)
• triumph (over)
• mow (down)
• lick
• suppress
• rout
• annihilate
• whip
• smash
• quell
• silence
• put down
• thrash
• quash
• crack down (on)
• trounce
• clobber
• repress
• squelch
• snuff (out)
• smother
• squash
• clamp down (on)
• break
• wallop
• skunk
• drub

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• release
• free
• discharge
• spring
• liberate
• emancipate
• manumit
• enfranchise
• unbind
• unfetter
• unchain
• uncage

subject

3 of 4

adjective

as in dependent

Synonyms & Similar Words

• dependent
• bound
• unfree
• captive
• nonautonomous
• subjugated
• conquered
• fettered
• subordinate
• subdued
• non-self-governing
• enslaved
• subservient
• inferior

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• separate
• independent
• free
• sovereign
• autonomous
• freestanding
• sovran
• released
• freeborn
• self-governing
• redeemed
• delivered
• self-ruling
• self-governed
• liberated
• freed
• emancipated
• manumitted

subjection

4 of 4

noun (2)

as in conquest

the act or process of bringing someone or something under one's control

a holy man for whom the subjection of earthly desires is the path to spiritual perfection

Synonyms & Similar Words

• conquest
• domination
• dominating
• subjugation
• subjecting
• subduing
• takeover
• subjugating
• victory
• vanquishing
• overpowering
• enslavement
• whipping
• triumph
• win
• winning
• defeat
• trimming
• drubbing
• licking
• beating
• trouncing
• shellacking

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• liberation
• emancipation
• freeing
• release
• enfranchisement
• manumission

Examples of subject in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

One obvious edit occurred when Trump began to repeat his false claims about the 2020 election – a sensitive subject for Fox since the network is still dealing with defamation lawsuits relating to its coverage in 2020. —Brian Stelter, CNN, 24 Oct. 2024

Her evocative minimalism is partially motivated by a desire to accord her subjects a degree of autonomy. —Julian Lucas, The New Yorker, 24 Oct. 2024

Verb

That sudden rotational movement can cause neck injuries as well as subjecting the wearer’s brain to sudden movement inside their skull, which can cause debilitating or even fatal brain injuries. —William Roberson, Forbes, 11 Oct. 2024

Here’s a population of wicked beings, created by Morgoth (again: Satan) and in service of a warlord set on conquering the world and subjecting all its people. —Caitlin Penzeymoog, Vox, 7 Oct. 2024

Adjective

The event, known as Fluxx NYC, was a celebration of all things women’s health with some some of the greatest minds on the subject teaching attendees about the important pillars of lifestyle and how to build the best foundation for a long and healthy life. —Emily Cegielski, Flow Space, 22 Oct. 2024

Outcomes varied wildly by subject area, with medical and law degrees usually paying off, and PhDs — even in STEM fields — yielding inconsistent returns. —Meg Little Reilly, Forbes, 14 Oct. 2024

Phrases Containing subject

• subject (to)
• subject matter