special interest

noun

Synonyms of special interestnext
: 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.
Its recommendations largely ignore the four fundamental flaws and instead propose a strong mayor system that risks dragging Oakland back to the corruption and special interest dealings that made Tammany Hall famous. Steven Falk, Mercury News, 6 Feb. 2026 Enacting government reforms like congressional term limits, banning stock trading and overturning citizens united would make congress members more accountable to the people and less likely to play partisan games to appease special interest groups. Charlotte Observer, 5 Feb. 2026 Trump’s frustration with Canada has set the tone, and self-serving special interests have magnified his clarion call. Rachel Marsden, Hartford Courant, 5 Feb. 2026 Political action committees have also yet to begin any major independent expenditures in the governor’s race opposing or supporting candidates on behalf of corporations, labor unions and other special interests. Andrew Graham, Sacbee.com, 4 Feb. 2026 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 14 Feb. 2026.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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