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
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Recent Examples of special interest
An agreement can spare those special interests multi-million dollar fights to win over voters.
—
Evelyn Ronan,
Sacbee.com,
23 June 2026
Ever since the Haitian revolutionaries first rebelled against the French in 1791, the proslavery and imperialist powers of Europe and the Americas had a special interest in ensuring that Haiti failed.
—
Julia Gaffield,
The Conversation,
15 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
See All Example Sentences for special interest
Evelyn Ronan,
Sacbee.com,
23 June 2026
Ever since the Haitian revolutionaries first rebelled against the French in 1791, the proslavery and imperialist powers of Europe and the Americas had a special interest in ensuring that Haiti failed.
—
Julia Gaffield,
The Conversation,
15 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
See All Example Sentences for special interest
Recent Examples of Synonyms for special interest
Noun
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However, Lander has accused Goldman of cozying up to Wall Street interests, including corporate political action committees.
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Over the years, Kansas City has shown interest in tight ends with college basketball experience, such as Demetrius Harris and Ross Travis.
Noun
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Once a destination for avid hikers and the Biltmore-browsers, the destination has evolved to attract a variety of age groups and interest groups.
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If that isn’t enough, some of the most powerful and well-financed interest groups in politics have spent big in certain primaries.
Cite this Entry
“Special interest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/special%20interest. Accessed 3 Jul. 2026.
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