subject 1 of 3

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 3

verb

subject

3 of 3

adjective

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

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 van in question was the subject of a memorable Associated Press photo released in the days after the start of the damaging wildfire. Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 3 June 2025 The subject is simple: Marguerite hunches over a book at a table. Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 2 June 2025
Verb
Unfortunately, just like for the newbies, the main way to prove any famous person’s humility is to subject them to Hot Ones, where Demi Moore, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Jake Gyllenhaal sat and suffered for Sean Evans. Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 29 May 2025 The task force wanted to oversee who Harvard admits and hires and subject its faculty to a government audit. Matt Lavietes, NBC news, 29 May 2025
Adjective
Vishwanath said students often specialize in certain subject areas. Elizabeth Marie Himchak, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 May 2025 Pascal Siakam spoke out after the Game 2 win about that very subject. Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for subject
Recent Examples of Synonyms for subject
Noun
  • Angela is also opening up about sensitive topics — like being millions of dollars in debt over these houses??
    Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 2 June 2025
  • There are many ways to celebrate spring, but few contemporary artists have devoted more attention to the topic than David Hockney.
    Françoise Mouly, New Yorker, 2 June 2025
Noun
  • Therefore, an asset that generates income, even in a freeport that remains under the ownership of a US citizen or resident would be subject to US federal tax.
    Priya Prakash Royal Esq. LL.M. MBA AEP TEP, Forbes.com, 1 June 2025
  • Those graduates will become the citizens and leaders of tomorrow’s America.
    Letters to the Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 June 2025
Noun
  • Or maybe, for a million reasons, your recent expectations of how family life should be are not aligned with reality.
    Denise Snodell, Kansas City Star, 7 June 2025
  • Martino abruptly resigned due to personal reasons and Miami hired Messi’s long-time friend and former Barcelona and Argentina team-mate Javier Mascherano as head coach.
    Felipe Cardenas, New York Times, 7 June 2025
Verb
  • Silver did admit, however, that the ratings discussion that often dominates the conversation is an irritant for him.
    Sam Amick, New York Times, 6 June 2025
  • This is a game that will be dominating time on rec room TV or backseat car rides for years to come.
    Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 6 June 2025
Adjective
  • His future with the franchise is likely dependent on whether guys higher up on the pecking order end up elsewhere rather than his own play.
    Danny Leroux, New York Times, 31 May 2025
  • This is because a planet's altitude in the sky is dependent in part on the inclination of the ecliptic relative to the horizon, which shifts throughout the year due to Earth's wobbling orbit.
    Anthony Wood, Space.com, 31 May 2025
Noun
  • They were raised during the internet boom, financial decentralization, and the notion that digital identity and ownership matter.
    Chrissa McFarlane, Forbes.com, 1 June 2025
  • Others, meanwhile, said family matters should be left for behind closed doors and not for public shaming.
    Stephanie Guerilus, People.com, 1 June 2025
Noun
  • The suspect, an Egyptian national, had overstayed a tourist visa, but Egypt is not included in the new restrictions.
    Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 June 2025
  • Trump connected his second-term travel ban from 12 countries to an attack in Boulder, Colo., by an Egyptian national who overstayed his tourist visa.
    Brett Samuels, The Hill, 5 June 2025
Verb
  • Educate Yourself, And Be Prepared The very best way to conquer your business fear and build confidence as a leader is to do the work required to be at your best.
    Michelle Mekky, Forbes.com, 27 May 2025
  • Putnam was always photographed with famous people: standing next to Charles Lindbergh, first man to fly solo across the Atlantic; posing with Commander Byrd, the man who conquered the South Pole; smiling with Howard Carter, the man who discovered King Tut.
    / CBS News, CBS News, 25 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Subject.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/subject. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.

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