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

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.
Psychologists with special interest in reading have been probing this question for over a decade. Literary Hub, 29 Jan. 2026 The health care system is run by competing special interests, including powerful insurance companies and hedge funds. Kate Wolffe, Sacbee.com, 29 Jan. 2026 In classrooms across the country, America’s children were watching this latest of many shuttle flights with special interest. Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 27 Jan. 2026 Every special interest in California. Susan Shelley, Oc Register, 24 Jan. 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Special interest.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/special%20interest. Accessed 5 Feb. 2026.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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