SUBJECTIONS Synonyms: 196 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 4

noun (1)

ˈsəb-jikt

Definition of subject

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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

subject

3 of 4

adjective

as in dependent

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Unfortunately, Mascis has developed a similar reputation as an interview subject, quietly sitting and offering deft nonanswers. — Terrence O'Brien, The Verge, 18 Oct. 2026 That would be fun, but the particular muddiness of You Can See Everything makes Seyfried as much a subject as a participant. — Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 17 Oct. 2026

Verb

The Times and The Express-News reported this year that Texas’ multi-billion-dollar investment in school policing had transformed discipline, subjecting thousands of students to physical force, at times over seemingly minor misconduct. — Rosie Cima, New York Times, 15 Oct. 2026 In the late 1700s, British scientists ran bold experiments on thermoregulation, subjecting themselves (and a dog) to a piping hot room and observing that — unlike the steak and eggs accompanying them — their own bodies did not cook. — Will Stone, NPR, 11 Oct. 2026

Adjective

Moore said the company’s work with a major global bank demonstrates the operational value of combining proprietary intelligence, subject-matter expertise and implementation support. — Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 2 Oct. 2026 Janelle Fritts, a senior policy analyst with the group, said tying a state budget to the market could create uncertainty and subject revenue to dramatic swings. — Jack Harvel, Kansas City Star, 22 Sep. 2026

Noun

The Handmaid's Tale spared no sensitivities when diving into the cruelest treatment people like June, and even Lydia, experience at the hands of a totalitarian system bent on the total subjection of women. — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Apr. 2026 As the man brawls with his in-laws, the boy is caught between two worlds, of male rage and female subjection. — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 30 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for subject

Recent Examples of Synonyms for subject

Noun

The conversations remained cordial, despite vehement disagreements at times, with Talarico and the voters engaging in polite small talk before delving into, at times, heavy topics.

— Lauren Green, The Washington Examiner, 15 Oct. 2026
Caporael, who had explored the topic through the lens of the scientific method, wasn’t claiming to know what had happened at Salem.

— Jennifer Byrne, Popular Science, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of topic

Noun

That year, after Israeli officials castigated Qatar for allegedly financing Hamas, the Qataris began demanding formal documentation of an arrangement the two governments had agreed was meant to provide relief to citizens of the beleaguered enclave.

— Eric Cortellessa, Time, 18 Oct. 2026
But many citizens don’t own that innovation and so miss out on its profits.

— Sarah Cannon, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of citizen

Verb

Apple and Samsung also continue to dominate the smartphone market.

— Sam Birchall, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2026
The problem for Weiss and the new leadership is that the US’ relationship with Israel and Israel’s military actions in the Middle East seems increasingly poised to dominate electoral politics in the coming years.

— semafor.com, semafor.com, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of dominate

Adjective

And as always, at the top level, the sport is dependent upon manufacturer largesse, something that usually vanishes in the face of worsening economic outlooks.

— Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 14 Oct. 2026
Malawi, which has among the highest fuel pump prices in Africa at more than $3 a liter, highlights the impact of a $100-plus per barrel crude price on import-dependent economies with thin buffers.

— Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of dependent

Noun

The choice of materials, their adhesion and the design of the part all matter.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 17 Oct. 2026
When the plant roots encounter an area acidified by decaying plant matter—a chemical gradient distinct from that of animal matter—ABA builds up on the side facing the rot, encouraging growth in the other direction.

— Joanna Thompson, Scientific American, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of matter

Noun

Another man charged Monday, Juan Antonio Rivas García, is a legal resident and Mexico national who oversees an asphalt business in Sacramento.

— Mathew Miranda, Sacbee.com, 20 Oct. 2026
The Ukrainian diplomat said Kyiv had confirmed that more than 1,000 Cuban nationals signed contracts with the Russian army between 2023-25 to fight against his country.

— Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of national

Noun

Just like their first Beverly Hills abode, the home was complete with resort-like grounds.

— Juliana Ukiomogbe, Architectural Digest, 16 Oct. 2026
In contrast, peregrine falcons that breed in Alaska migrate almost directly south, dispersing across the Americas to wintering grounds that extend as far as southern South America.

— Amy L. Scarpignato, The Conversation, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of grounds

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subintervals

subject

subjected

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Style

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

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Synonyms of subject

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Synonyms of subject

noun (1)

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adjective

noun (2)

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