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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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 art world, with its credentialism, opaque jargon, and tendency to bow to powerful interests, bears a structural resemblance to both politics and academia.—
Katy Siegel,
Artforum,
2 June 2026
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In his stead, the United States propped up the venal and repressive shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, who proved to be a pliable ally readily serving its oil and armament interests.—
Wyatt Williams,
Harpers Magazine,
2 June 2026
Noun
-
Steyer's platform is centered on taking a stand against special-interest groups in politics.—
Saige Miller,
NPR,
2 June 2026
-
Politically, this strategy of watering down her own initiatives to avoid alienating interest groups might have worked, if not for the fires.—
Marc Novicoff,
The Atlantic,
31 May 2026
Noun
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Speaking to reporters at the event, Steyer suggested his wealth insulated him from being beholden to special interests.—
Ben Paviour,
Sacbee.com,
29 May 2026
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But three have drawn a lot of contention — and big checks from special interests.—
Kaitlyn Schallhorn,
Oc Register,
27 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pressure groups.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pressure%20groups. Accessed 6 Jun. 2026.
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