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
Relevance
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
Lessons from down-ballot races A trio of Assembly races in Orange County were hot contests this year, with multiple candidates vying for open seats and special interest groups spending oodles of money.
—
Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Oc Register, 3 June 2026
But Denney has used it to portray him as too close to the many special interests who work politicians for favorable policies in Sacramento, according to reporting in The Press Democrat.
—Reeti Malhotra, Sacbee.com, 3 June 2026
Anyone who raises practical concerns or asks difficult questions is portrayed as serving some special interest.
—Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 2 June 2026
Isabelle Foland In a speech before the Iowa Republican governor primary was officially called, farmer and businessman Zach Lahn emphasized his campaign points of reducing cancer rates, supporting farmers, and not being controlled by special interest groups.
—Cooper Worth, Des Moines Register, 2 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for special interest
Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Oc Register, 3 June 2026
But Denney has used it to portray him as too close to the many special interests who work politicians for favorable policies in Sacramento, according to reporting in The Press Democrat.
—Reeti Malhotra, Sacbee.com, 3 June 2026
Anyone who raises practical concerns or asks difficult questions is portrayed as serving some special interest.
—Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 2 June 2026
Isabelle Foland In a speech before the Iowa Republican governor primary was officially called, farmer and businessman Zach Lahn emphasized his campaign points of reducing cancer rates, supporting farmers, and not being controlled by special interest groups.
—Cooper Worth, Des Moines Register, 2 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for special interest
Recent Examples of Synonyms for special interest
Noun
-
Once the Islander opened the door, in typical Love Island USA fashion, they were prompted to kiss the other islanders with common interests.—
Carolyn Burt,
Oc Register,
9 June 2026
-
To drive interest in the new spot, Pruner held a pop-up event at Origami, which is normally closed on Sundays.—
Sean Timberlake,
Sacbee.com,
9 June 2026
Noun
-
Why this matters At a time when the role of money in politics remains deeply contested, such patterns remind Americans that campaign finance is not just a story about donors and interest groups.—
Mayank Kejriwal,
The Conversation,
10 June 2026
-
On the campaign trail, Danielson and Gonzalez have touted their backgrounds in advocating for voters’ rights as both worked for political interest groups before running for office.—
Noelle Phillips,
Denver Post,
9 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Special interest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/special%20interest. Accessed 13 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
