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
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Recent Examples of special interests
Our health policies are guided by evidence, common sense, and respect for individual rights—not ideological agendas or special interests.
—
Peter Aitken, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Sep. 2025
Speaking broadly about Miami City Hall, Voccola said he can’t be bought by special interests.
—Miami Herald, 28 Aug. 2025
Passion-Driven Practice and Lifelong Learning One of the hallmarks of autism is the presence of ‘special interests,’ defined as intense, focused passions that can last a lifetime.
—Alison Escalante, Forbes.com, 26 Aug. 2025
The ability for the ultra-wealthy and special interests to drown out the voice of everyday people is overwhelming.
—Adena Ishii, Mercury News, 21 Aug. 2025
That kind of partnership can happen again if citizens and politicians show how to put national welfare above president, party and special interests.
—Mike McGrew, Baltimore Sun, 18 Aug. 2025
Slaughter's special interests are clinical research trials in thoracic surgery and training future leaders in thoracic surgery, according to UofL's website.
—Krista Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 13 Aug. 2025
Another concerning possibility is that, when actions consistently prioritize special interests over the public good, incompetence can morph into something else— a line Lamont’s approach teeters on the brink of crossing.
—Frank Ricci, Hartford Courant, 10 Aug. 2025
Peter Aitken, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Sep. 2025
Speaking broadly about Miami City Hall, Voccola said he can’t be bought by special interests.
—Miami Herald, 28 Aug. 2025
Passion-Driven Practice and Lifelong Learning One of the hallmarks of autism is the presence of ‘special interests,’ defined as intense, focused passions that can last a lifetime.
—Alison Escalante, Forbes.com, 26 Aug. 2025
The ability for the ultra-wealthy and special interests to drown out the voice of everyday people is overwhelming.
—Adena Ishii, Mercury News, 21 Aug. 2025
That kind of partnership can happen again if citizens and politicians show how to put national welfare above president, party and special interests.
—Mike McGrew, Baltimore Sun, 18 Aug. 2025
Slaughter's special interests are clinical research trials in thoracic surgery and training future leaders in thoracic surgery, according to UofL's website.
—Krista Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 13 Aug. 2025
Another concerning possibility is that, when actions consistently prioritize special interests over the public good, incompetence can morph into something else— a line Lamont’s approach teeters on the brink of crossing.
—Frank Ricci, Hartford Courant, 10 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for special interests
Noun
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Teens and tweens used to be able to entertain themselves, find friends, and explore their interests in malls, parks, community centers, or libraries.—
Annabelle Canela,
Parents,
4 Sep. 2025
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Undocumented immigrants are sometimes vilified while their employers escape criticism, according to Bradley, a retired attorney whose career represented business interests.—
Rick Barrett,
jsonline.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Noun
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All this at a time when minority writers are also disproportionately the targets of censorship by Republican state houses and right-wing interest groups.—
Kevin Dickinson,
Big Think,
2 Sep. 2025
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Representatives of various interest groups, such as intellectual property owners and noncommercial Internet users, help select and advise members of the board and, in some cases, develop policies.—
Kal Raustiala,
Foreign Affairs,
13 Feb. 2017
Cite this Entry
“Special interests.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/special%20interests. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
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