theme

noun

ˈthēm How to pronounce theme (audio)
Definition of themenext
1
as in topic
a major object of interest or concern (as in a discussion or artistic composition) this dance piece deals with the timeless themes of birth and death

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in article
a short piece of writing done as a school exercise please write a one page theme on the main character of this book

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in essay
a short piece of writing typically expressing a point of view the magazine will award a scholarship to the student who writes the best theme on the concept of personal freedom

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 theme In addition to the Groundhog Day theme, this year's Marche will highlight the city's music, with timed performances as opposed to the open community stage of years past. — Joe Guillen, Axios, 21 Mar. 2025 Dion encouraged Smith to sing along to the Titanic theme. — Marina Watts, People.com, 21 Mar. 2025 This year’s theme encompasses to origins of NYC Pride, dating back to the pivotal Stonewall Uprising in June 1969, followed by the first ever Pride March in June 1970. — Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner, Forbes, 20 Mar. 2025 The differences between the two versions are subtle but significant, emphasizing themes that were central to Niebuhr’s thought. — Scott Paeth, The Conversation, 13 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for theme
Recent Examples of Synonyms for theme
  1. topic
  2. article
  3. essay
  4. motif
  5. paper
  6. matter
  7. story
  8. question
Noun
  • The main topic of conversation was how the duo turned a photo album featuring the banal daily activities of workers at Auschwitz-Birkenau into a searing play.
    — Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 21 Mar. 2025
  • Her interests extend to topics such as human evolution, psychology, and quirky animal stories.
    — Jenny Lehmann, Discover Magazine, 21 Mar. 2025
Definition of topic
Noun
  • Listen to this article GLENDALE, Ariz. — Drew Thorpe joined the Chicago White Sox organization last spring after being acquired as a key part of the trade that sent pitcher Dylan Cease to the San Diego Padres.
    — LaMond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 22 Mar. 2025
  • Information for this article was contributed by Cheyanne Mumphrey of The Associated Press.
    — arkansasonline.com, arkansasonline.com, 22 Mar. 2025
Definition of article
Noun
  • In September 2022, O'Donnell penned an emotional essay for PEOPLE and opened up about Clay's autism diagnosis for the first time.
    — Hannah Sacks, People.com, 21 Mar. 2025
  • From our hosts Mostafa Bassim/Anadolu via Getty Images This essay was written by Leila Fadel, Up First and Morning Edition host.
    — Brittney Melton, NPR, 19 Mar. 2025
Definition of essay
Noun
  • Oak doors in a guest bath, and throughout the house, feature a lacquered motif inspired by Native American patterns.
    — Michael James Gardner, Architectural Digest, 19 Mar. 2025
  • For the business meeting, Queen Letizia wore a suit in a shade of black with a faint white pinstripe motif.
    — Julia Teti, WWD, 19 Mar. 2025
Definition of motif
Noun
  • Around this time, Maxson Manor, the local restaurant run by the church, took out an ad in the same paper.
    — Guthrie Scrimgeour, Rolling Stone, 16 Mar. 2025
  • This find is particularly exciting, explained Ritvik Basant, who is a Ph.D. student at the University of Chicago and an author on a paper about the new discovery.
    — Keith Cooper, Space.com, 15 Mar. 2025
Definition of paper
Noun
  • That duo of assault allegations led to Los Angeles County D.A. Jackie Lacey’s office opening its own probe into the matters.
    — Dominic Patten, Deadline, 21 Mar. 2025
  • Columbia University has agreed to meet most of the demands the Trump administration presented it last week in a simmering dispute about how the university has responded to campus protests along with other matters involving campus operations.
    — Michael T. Nietzel, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
Definition of matter
Noun
  • Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
    — Ingrid Vasquez, People.com, 19 Mar. 2025
  • This story was originally published March 19, 2025 at 5:00 AM.
    — Jonathan Shorman and, Kansas City Star, 19 Mar. 2025
Definition of story
Noun
  • Neither company asked the vital questions that drive impactful decision-making.
    — Sherzod Odilov, Forbes, 16 Mar. 2025
  • Complications developed surrounding those severe injuries, putting Cauley’s career in serious question.
    — Justin Ray, The Athletic, 16 Mar. 2025
Definition of question

Browse Nearby Words

(the) masses
theme
themes
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Theme.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/theme. Accessed 28 Mar. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on theme

Nglish: Translation of theme for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Words You Always Have to Look Up

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Top 10 Sophisticated Insults

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden

More Words with Remarkable Origins

Terroir, Oenophile, & Magnum: Ten Words About Wine

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Top 10 Sophisticated Insults

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
burrowing owl athene cunicularia tilts its head outside its burrow on marco island florida
Guess the Curious Origins of These Everyday Words Oh, that’s where that comes from…
See All