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.
Even some Republicans worried the measure would prompt special interest groups to simply lobby the General Assembly to get rid of legal challenges. Jordan Smith, IndyStar, 29 Dec. 2025 Steve Moore, cofounder of the Committee to Unleash Prosperity, predicts fierce battles in state capitols, where teachers unions and other special interests will try to stop the tax relief movement, scaremongering about damaging cuts to school budgets and potholes in the streets. Betsy McCaughey, Boston Herald, 21 Dec. 2025 Not to be left out of the taxing-raising orgy, the special interests in the city of Los Angeles exploited the Upland decision to pass the infamous Measure ULA tax, a massive increase in the city’s real estate transfer tax on the sale of properties valued over $5 million. Jon Coupal, Oc Register, 21 Dec. 2025 Defede also asks him about calling Byron Donalds, who's also running for governor, a slave to special interest groups. Jim Defede, CBS News, 21 Dec. 2025 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 8 Jan. 2026.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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