special interest

noun

Synonyms of special interestnext
: a person or group seeking to influence legislative or government policy to further often narrowly defined interests
especially : lobby

Synonyms of special interest

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Examples of special interest in a Sentence

promised that as governor he would never be beholden to special interests
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Building affordable housing at scale means politicians need to break up with wealthy special interests like the construction accident lawyers who plaster the city and MTA buses with billboards and ads. — Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 28 Aug. 2026 The Protect College Sports Act provides a Christmas list of special interest favors to the NCAA and conferences with new, expansive legal immunities from state regulations and federal law. — U.s. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, Hartford Courant, 24 Aug. 2026 Norman has decried the role of super PAC spending against him in the runoff campaign, accusing Graham of being funded by special interests who are pushing their own agenda through her candidacy. — ABC News, 24 Aug. 2026 California was once hailed as a model for curbing the power of special interests and electing moderates. — Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 18 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for special interest

Word History

First Known Use

1906, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of special interest was in 1906

Rhymes for special interest

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Browse Nearby Words

special injunction
special interest
specialisation
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Cite this Entry

“Special interest.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/special%20interest. Accessed 31 Aug. 2026.

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