special interest
noun
: a person or group seeking to influence legislative or government policy to further often narrowly defined interests
especially
: lobby
Examples of special interest in a Sentence
promised that as governor he would never be beholden to special interests
Recent Examples on the Web
In the first half of 2026, Republican-leaning donors gave $880 million, compared to $290 million from Democratic-leaning givers and $200 million from bipartisan and special interest groups.
—
Eric Lau,
Washington Post,
25 June 2026
An agreement can spare those special interests multi-million dollar fights to win over voters.
—
Evelyn Ronan,
Sacbee.com,
23 June 2026
Ever since the Haitian revolutionaries first rebelled against the French in 1791, the proslavery and imperialist powers of Europe and the Americas had a special interest in ensuring that Haiti failed.
—
Julia Gaffield,
The Conversation,
15 June 2026
Joseph also criticized the inability of lawmakers to work across the aisle to pass legislation that would help residents rather than focusing on the priorities of special interests.
—
Miami Herald,
11 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for special interest
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Eric Lau,
Washington Post,
25 June 2026
An agreement can spare those special interests multi-million dollar fights to win over voters.
—
Evelyn Ronan,
Sacbee.com,
23 June 2026
Ever since the Haitian revolutionaries first rebelled against the French in 1791, the proslavery and imperialist powers of Europe and the Americas had a special interest in ensuring that Haiti failed.
—
Julia Gaffield,
The Conversation,
15 June 2026
Joseph also criticized the inability of lawmakers to work across the aisle to pass legislation that would help residents rather than focusing on the priorities of special interests.
—
Miami Herald,
11 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for special interest
Cite this Entry
“Special interest.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/special%20interest. Accessed 27 Jun. 2026.
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