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
Every special interest in California.
—
Susan Shelley, Oc Register, 24 Jan. 2026
Other lawmakers on the panel noted that campaign giving is just one way industries and other special interests influence legislation.
—Andrew Graham, Sacbee.com, 23 Jan. 2026
For years, Congress set tariff rates item by item, and the debates over each line were susceptible to capture by special interests.
—Inu Manak, Time, 16 Jan. 2026
After watching the state’s once nation-leading public records system buckle under political pressure, special interests, stonewalling and outright abuse, a bipartisan group of lawmakers has finally had enough.
—Bobby Block, Sun Sentinel, 13 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for special interest
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Susan Shelley, Oc Register, 24 Jan. 2026
Other lawmakers on the panel noted that campaign giving is just one way industries and other special interests influence legislation.
—Andrew Graham, Sacbee.com, 23 Jan. 2026
For years, Congress set tariff rates item by item, and the debates over each line were susceptible to capture by special interests.
—Inu Manak, Time, 16 Jan. 2026
After watching the state’s once nation-leading public records system buckle under political pressure, special interests, stonewalling and outright abuse, a bipartisan group of lawmakers has finally had enough.
—Bobby Block, Sun Sentinel, 13 Jan. 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 29 Jan. 2026.
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