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
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 interests
The special interests of the wealthy and well connected have raided our tax dollars.
—
Lucas Robinson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2026
Our district needs someone who will represent the views and interests of the people of district 20, not of special interests from out-of-state.
—Rose Evans
may 6, Idaho Statesman, 6 May 2026
Streaming services usually offer add-ons (like a sports-specific package) for special interests, and Sling TV is no exception.
—Jason Pham, StyleCaster, 28 Apr. 2026
He’s also aimed to turned his wealth into an asset, saying its proof that he can’t be bought by special interests.
—Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 26 Apr. 2026
It is bound to be a bruising battle against entrenched special interests.
—Jon Coupal, Oc Register, 26 Apr. 2026
The governor has rightly made reining in this out-of-control enterprise a top priority in the state budget talks, taking on one of Albany’s most entrenched special interests — the trial lawyers — with the goal of lowering insurance costs for New Yorkers.
—Ike Brannon, New York Daily News, 19 Apr. 2026
Very few lobbyists or special interests in Tallahassee gave Gregory a dime.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 15 Apr. 2026
Candidates who lost have pointed their fingers at special interests, blaming them for derailing their campaigns.
—Leah Askarinam, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2026
Lucas Robinson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2026
Our district needs someone who will represent the views and interests of the people of district 20, not of special interests from out-of-state.
—Rose Evans
may 6, Idaho Statesman, 6 May 2026
Streaming services usually offer add-ons (like a sports-specific package) for special interests, and Sling TV is no exception.
—Jason Pham, StyleCaster, 28 Apr. 2026
He’s also aimed to turned his wealth into an asset, saying its proof that he can’t be bought by special interests.
—Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 26 Apr. 2026
It is bound to be a bruising battle against entrenched special interests.
—Jon Coupal, Oc Register, 26 Apr. 2026
The governor has rightly made reining in this out-of-control enterprise a top priority in the state budget talks, taking on one of Albany’s most entrenched special interests — the trial lawyers — with the goal of lowering insurance costs for New Yorkers.
—Ike Brannon, New York Daily News, 19 Apr. 2026
Very few lobbyists or special interests in Tallahassee gave Gregory a dime.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 15 Apr. 2026
Candidates who lost have pointed their fingers at special interests, blaming them for derailing their campaigns.
—Leah Askarinam, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for special interests
Noun
-
The nomination of Hamilton, who argued abolishing FEMA was not in the country’s best interests, is the latest indication of that change.—
Gabriela Aoun Angueira,
Los Angeles Times,
12 May 2026
-
The Supreme Court has long held that the right of parents to direct the upbringing and education of their children is among the oldest and most fundamental liberty interests protected by the Constitution.—
James R Mason,
Hartford Courant,
12 May 2026
Noun
-
Last week, the Citizens Action Coalition of Indiana and 26 other public interest groups called on state and local officials to pause the pace of developing data centers in the Hoosier State, according to the Post-Tribune newspaper.—
Charles Selle,
Chicago Tribune,
13 May 2026
-
Names were then tested in workshops with participants from all over the world, representing all interest groups.—
Annalisa Merelli,
STAT,
12 May 2026
Noun
-
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
Cite this Entry
“Special interests.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/special%20interests. Accessed 16 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
