special interest

noun

: a person or group seeking to influence legislative or government policy to further often narrowly defined interests
especially : lobby

Examples of special interest in a Sentence

promised that as governor he would never be beholden to special interests
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
What happens if the rule of law becomes more procedural than real, if the legislature can no longer constrain a powerful executive, if rhetoric loses any connection with reality, and if oligarchs, politicians, and special interests use money and violence to compete for primacy? Foreign Affairs, 22 Apr. 2025 On Sunday, Flair had a special interest in the main event as John Cena broke his record for most world championships in pro wrestling history. Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2025 People with autism, for example, tend to have special interests that result in in-depth knowledge or passion about a topic, says Khan, who recalls a patient fascinated by vacuums. Angela Haupt, Time, 14 Apr. 2025 The special interests also have an unbroken record of resisting reform. Adrian Wooldridge, Twin Cities, 6 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for special interest

Word History

First Known Use

1906, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of special interest was in 1906

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Special interest.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/special%20interest. Accessed 3 May. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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