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
Although each country that lowers its own ACMDs will benefit, ACMDs often are the fruit of special interest lobbying and thus are hard to dislodge.
—
Alden Abbott, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
This is unsurprising given the makeup of the Legislature, with a Democratic supermajority backed by various special interests, especially public sector unions, eager to raid public coffers whenever possible.
—The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 9 Sep. 2025
In those races, there are independent expenditures that include developers, unions and other special interests.
—Van Schoales, Denver Post, 9 Sep. 2025
Our health policies are guided by evidence, common sense, and respect for individual rights—not ideological agendas or special interests.
—Peter Aitken, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for special interest
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.
Alden Abbott, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
This is unsurprising given the makeup of the Legislature, with a Democratic supermajority backed by various special interests, especially public sector unions, eager to raid public coffers whenever possible.
—The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 9 Sep. 2025
In those races, there are independent expenditures that include developers, unions and other special interests.
—Van Schoales, Denver Post, 9 Sep. 2025
Our health policies are guided by evidence, common sense, and respect for individual rights—not ideological agendas or special interests.
—Peter Aitken, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Sep. 2025
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 18 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share