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
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Recent Examples of special interests
There are numerous examples of local governments collaborating with their special interests allies to place citizen initiatives on the ballot.
—
Jon Coupal, Oc Register, 13 Oct. 2025
In her record-breaking guest spot on New Heights that same month, the superstar and her future brother-in-law discussed one of her special interests, numerology — which seems to have made an impact on Jason, who contemplated Travis’ new age on their show Wednesday.
—Anna Lazarus Caplan, PEOPLE, 1 Oct. 2025
These reforms are essential to earning back the trust of working people, everyday people in our country, to know that the policy solutions that Congress is passing are done in their best interest only, not because of donors or special interests.
—Andrew Stanton, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Sep. 2025
The special interests in state capitals fight ferociously against property tax relief.
—Stephen Moore, Boston Herald, 19 Sep. 2025
In those races, there are independent expenditures that include developers, unions and other special interests.
—Van Schoales, Denver Post, 9 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
Jon Coupal, Oc Register, 13 Oct. 2025
In her record-breaking guest spot on New Heights that same month, the superstar and her future brother-in-law discussed one of her special interests, numerology — which seems to have made an impact on Jason, who contemplated Travis’ new age on their show Wednesday.
—Anna Lazarus Caplan, PEOPLE, 1 Oct. 2025
These reforms are essential to earning back the trust of working people, everyday people in our country, to know that the policy solutions that Congress is passing are done in their best interest only, not because of donors or special interests.
—Andrew Stanton, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Sep. 2025
The special interests in state capitals fight ferociously against property tax relief.
—Stephen Moore, Boston Herald, 19 Sep. 2025
In those races, there are independent expenditures that include developers, unions and other special interests.
—Van Schoales, Denver Post, 9 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for special interests
Noun
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Notwithstanding this criticism, though, there is still a growing view within Delhi that foreign policy should be pragmatic and driven by interests rather than ethical considerations.—
Happymon Jacob,
Time,
16 Oct. 2025
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Unshared interests The only reason that the PA was being kept out of the picture was to satisfy Netanyahu’s political desire not to ever have a unified Palestinian leadership in the West Bank and Gaza.—
Thomas L. Friedman,
Mercury News,
16 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The winners will span content topics and categories, from fashion or makeup to sports and entertainment, allowing for a wide array of honorees across interest groups, reflecting the larger Instagram community.—
Alex Weprin,
HollywoodReporter,
6 Oct. 2025
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In 2021, the book banning crisis was mostly centered around grassroots influence over school boards, the report details, with special-interest groups like Mom’s for Liberty and waves of individuals lobbying school board members to remove books based on the content within.—
Angele Latham,
Nashville Tennessean,
1 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Nearly 72% of censorship attempts in 2024 were initiated by pressure groups and decision makers who have been swayed by them.—
Jennifer Borresen,
USA Today,
5 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Special interests.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/special%20interests. Accessed 18 Oct. 2025.
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