special interests

noun

plural of special interest
as in interests
a group of people with a common identifying interest that they seek to protect and promote promised that as governor he would never be beholden to special interests

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of special interests But Hogg pointed instead to special interests and corporations that have long held sway over both dominant American political parties. — Michel Martin, NPR, 3 Aug. 2026 Porter characterized herself as a minivan driving single mom who would work to take on special interests and refuse to take corporate cash. — Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 17 July 2026 Both measures are sensible safeguards against greedy lawmakers and powerful special interests like SEIU United Healthcare Workers West, the union pushing the billionaire tax. — Matt Fleming, Oc Register, 13 July 2026 That means candidates would be less beholden to special interests since no money is needed for a primary campaign. — Paul Haughey, Mercury News, 27 June 2026 Joseph also criticized the inability of lawmakers to work across the aisle to pass legislation that would help residents rather than focusing on the priorities of special interests. — Miami Herald, 11 June 2026 That’s why a cottage industry of consultants conducts polling and message testing to help local governments and special interests find just the right combination of words and numbers to sell voters on the need to approve them. — Susan Shelley, Daily News, 10 June 2026 Steyer stepped up his fight in the remaining days, seeking to squeeze into one of the top two spots by battering Becerra in ads and at campaign rallies as a politician propped up by corporate special interests. — Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 3 June 2026 Long a refrain of strident progressives and good-government reformers, accusations that political rivals are self-dealing or bought by special interests have become a mainstay of Democratic primaries. — Matt Brown, Fortune, 25 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for special interests
  1. interests
  2. interest groups
  3. pressure groups
Noun
  • On the other hand, if a teenager is struggling and isn’t involved in any activities, encourage them to explore their interests as a way of making those initial connections.
    — Kara Alaimo, CNN Money, 4 Aug. 2026
  • States set policy guardrails States are increasingly stepping in to set limits on HOA authority when private rules conflict with broader public interests related to renewable energy, wildlife conservation and water-saving landscaping.
    — Daniel Kramer, The Conversation, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of interests
Noun
  • So somebody with my background who’s actually worked through these problems and brought people together — like very divergent interest groups together, like the tribes, like environmental groups and loggers.
    — Alex Robinson, Outdoor Life, 29 July 2026
  • School board elections in Illinois are nonpartisan, and in many blue cities, endorsements from unions and other interest groups effectively become party labels, Reckhow said.
    — Kate Armanini, Chicago Tribune, 16 July 2026
Definition of interest groups
Noun
  • Public pressure groups, and politicians such as Herman Mashaba, are calling on the government to do much, much more.
    — Paul Tilsley, FOXNews.com, 26 July 2026
  • Increasingly, book bans are driven less by individuals than by politically motivated pressure groups targeting decision-makers.
    — SPIN Team, SPIN, 22 June 2026
Definition of pressure groups

Browse Nearby Words

special interest
special interests
specialism
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Cite this Entry

“Special interests.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/special%20interests. Accessed 9 Aug. 2026.

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