as in interests
a group of people with a common identifying interest that they seek to protect and promote
observed that if publishers gave in to every pressure group, nothing would ever get published
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Recent Examples of pressure groups
The leader of the Ex-Slave Pension Association was later imprisoned on mail fraud charges, and the organization faded away, while the Eagles became one of the pressure groups that eventually led to Social Security.
—
Trevor Jackson, The New York Review of Books, 4 Apr. 2026
Cosseted by favorable districts and incumbent fundraising advantages, the majority caters mostly to pressure groups — especially socially conservative ones — that influence Republican primaries.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 10 Feb. 2026
Johnson is calling for coordinated national efforts led by mayors and state governments, in concert with public pressure groups and local residents, to combat the actions by ICE, the Border Patrol and other federal authorities.
—David Greising, Chicago Tribune, 30 Jan. 2026
At the same time, pressure groups worked hard to get younger, more YIMBY legislators elected.
—Helen Lewis, The Atlantic, 11 Jan. 2026
Nearly 72% of censorship attempts in 2024 were initiated by pressure groups and decision makers who have been swayed by them.
—Jennifer Borresen, USA Today, 5 Oct. 2025
Trevor Jackson, The New York Review of Books, 4 Apr. 2026
Cosseted by favorable districts and incumbent fundraising advantages, the majority caters mostly to pressure groups — especially socially conservative ones — that influence Republican primaries.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 10 Feb. 2026
Johnson is calling for coordinated national efforts led by mayors and state governments, in concert with public pressure groups and local residents, to combat the actions by ICE, the Border Patrol and other federal authorities.
—David Greising, Chicago Tribune, 30 Jan. 2026
At the same time, pressure groups worked hard to get younger, more YIMBY legislators elected.
—Helen Lewis, The Atlantic, 11 Jan. 2026
Nearly 72% of censorship attempts in 2024 were initiated by pressure groups and decision makers who have been swayed by them.
—Jennifer Borresen, USA Today, 5 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pressure groups
Noun
-
The nomination of Hamilton, who argued abolishing FEMA was not in the country’s best interests, is the latest indication of that change.—
Gabriela Aoun Angueira,
Los Angeles Times,
12 May 2026
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The Supreme Court has long held that the right of parents to direct the upbringing and education of their children is among the oldest and most fundamental liberty interests protected by the Constitution.—
James R Mason,
Hartford Courant,
12 May 2026
Noun
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The proposal would overhaul antidiscrimination AI protections that were passed into law in 2024, but have not yet gone into effect amid a wave of opposition from Polis and interest groups.—
Nick Coltrain,
Denver Post,
4 May 2026
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The reality is donors and interest groups are split, and the first rule of politics is don’t make unnecessary enemies.—
Barnini Chakraborty,
The Washington Examiner,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The special interests of the wealthy and well connected have raided our tax dollars.—
Lucas Robinson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 May 2026
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Our district needs someone who will represent the views and interests of the people of district 20, not of special interests from out-of-state.—
Rose Evans
May 6,
Idaho Statesman,
6 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pressure groups.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pressure%20groups. Accessed 14 May. 2026.
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