special interest

Definition of special interestnext
as in interest
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 interest While innovators think of new ways to improve lives with AI, politicians are looking for ways to entrench special interests at everyone else’s expense. Editorial Board, Washington Post, 21 Feb. 2026 Challenger Nicholas Cade, an attorney and former public school teacher, accuses her of being beholden to special interests. The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 18 Feb. 2026 The moment burnished the image Clinton was trying to build as someone who was willing to stand up to the party’s special interests and most loyal voting base. Paul Grein, Billboard, 17 Feb. 2026 Who does Congress really represent, constituents or special interest? Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for special interest
Recent Examples of Synonyms for special interest
Noun
  • Nurphoto | Nurphoto | Getty Images South Korean defense stocks saw massive gains on Tuesday after the country’s markets returned from a public holiday, as the Iran war fuels interest in defense names globally.
    Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 3 Mar. 2026
  • Businesses will borrow to invest in AI, putting upward pressure on interest rates.
    Paul Wiseman, Los Angeles Times, 2 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • The moment bought Clinton a priceless image of willingness to speak truth to the party’s interest groups but came at the price of Jackson’s rage.
    Johanna Neuman, Los Angeles Times, 17 Feb. 2026
  • No single donor or interest group dominates my fundraising.
    Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Special interest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/special%20interest. Accessed 3 Mar. 2026.

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