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
Success means a Texas where there are real opportunities for everyone, not just the wealthy and well-connected, and where government works for the people, not for special interests.
—
Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026
The spending bonanza is a good window into how pricey campaigns, unlimited PAC donations and special interests can come to dominate races behind the scenes.
—Bayliss Wagner, Houston Chronicle, 12 Feb. 2026
Virtually every election cycle sees at least one special interest duel, such as the 2022 battle between casino-owning tribes and sports wagering firms over whether California should allow betting on athletic events, which resulted in voters rejecting both competing measures.
—Dan Walters, Mercury News, 11 Feb. 2026
Cater to special interests Conservatives used to profess that closer-to-home local government was best, but it has been abandoned across the nation.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for special interest
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Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026
The spending bonanza is a good window into how pricey campaigns, unlimited PAC donations and special interests can come to dominate races behind the scenes.
—Bayliss Wagner, Houston Chronicle, 12 Feb. 2026
Virtually every election cycle sees at least one special interest duel, such as the 2022 battle between casino-owning tribes and sports wagering firms over whether California should allow betting on athletic events, which resulted in voters rejecting both competing measures.
—Dan Walters, Mercury News, 11 Feb. 2026
Cater to special interests Conservatives used to profess that closer-to-home local government was best, but it has been abandoned across the nation.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 10 Feb. 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 16 Feb. 2026.
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