INTERESTS Synonyms: 70 Similar and Opposite Words

interests 1 of 2

noun

plural of interest

as in stakes

a legal right to participation in the advantages, profits, and responsibility of something all of the workers at the food cooperative have an interest in it

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Relevance

as in companies

a commercial or industrial activity or organization a multinational corporation with interests on every continent

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in interest groups

a group of people with a common identifying interest that they seek to protect and promote the contention that the nation's financial interests have too much power

Synonyms & Similar Words

interests

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of interest

as in intrigues

to hold the attention of the book didn't interest me, so I ended up watching the parade of people on the sidewalk

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 interests

Noun

On the other hand, if a teenager is struggling and isn’t involved in any activities, encourage them to explore their interests as a way of making those initial connections. — Kara Alaimo, CNN Money, 4 Aug. 2026 States set policy guardrails States are increasingly stepping in to set limits on HOA authority when private rules conflict with broader public interests related to renewable energy, wildlife conservation and water-saving landscaping. — Daniel Kramer, The Conversation, 3 Aug. 2026 There are also some solid jokes that get at kitchen life, and Tony’s specific interests, and the story deftly captures his lifelong pursuit of the approval and protection of strong women. — Laurie Woolever, Bon Appetit Magazine, 3 Aug. 2026 Every day lost poses a threat to not only American interests, but humanity itself. — Caleb Knapp, Fortune, 3 Aug. 2026 If a state takes a position contrary to Beijing’s interests, China can tighten the screws on it by withholding spare parts, software updates, and technicians, turning a commercial partnership into a tool of leverage. — Natalia Cote-Muñoz, Foreign Affairs, 3 Aug. 2026 The Soviet Union created the CPUSA to advance its geopolitical interests by merging multiple communist groups in the 1920s, as noted by scholars and the party’s website. — Hudson Crozier, The Washington Examiner, 3 Aug. 2026 Representatives for larger agricultural interests say the state’s cost predictions for producers are severe underestimates. — Lizzie Kane, Sacbee.com, 2 Aug. 2026 Yet, Washington's active role in shaping Iraq's political landscape and its national security doctrine may ultimately force Baghdad to choose sides, testing its ability to navigate these competing interests. — Ken Silverstein, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026

Verb

Pushing Content That Doesn’t Interest The Audience New marketers often lead social posts with company news, product features or promotional content without considering what interests their audience. — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026 What’s underneath Beulah and what’s really driving her is what interests me. — Jackie Strause, HollywoodReporter, 7 July 2026 These are novels about bohemian communities of friends and lovers and artistic collaborators, which is a big part of what interests me about AIDS activism. — Sarah Schulman, Literary Hub, 29 June 2026 Onscreen love interests Holly Marie Combs and Brian Krause are letting fans think their relationship is the same offscreen, too. — Derek Lawrence, Entertainment Weekly, 25 June 2026 That coexistence interests me more than any single genre. — Alma Rota, Rolling Stone, 17 June 2026 Make new friends or join a club that interests you. — Garfield Hylton, The Orlando Sentinel, 16 June 2026 What interests you about telling a story like that? — Wengel Gemu, Vanity Fair, 12 June 2026 At the moment, the only Championship side that interests me in FPL terms are Coventry. — Holly Shand, New York Times, 26 May 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for interests

Noun

These feel like ‘table stakes’ for AI in text editing, yet Apple has been deliberate in introducing Apple Intelligence across its platforms.

— Ewan Spence, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
Some members and associates of the Seidler family are expected to retain at least a portion of their stakes in the Padres.

— Dennis Lin, New York Times, 22 July 2026

Definition of stakes

Noun

As airlines promote their eco-friendly initiatives this summer, experts advise looking past the marketing to find companies making genuine operational changes.

— Christopher Elliott, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026
Apertura was among the flock of investors, trading houses, and oil and gas companies at the event.

— Anna Cooban, CNN Money, 2 Aug. 2026

Definition of companies

Noun

School board elections in Illinois are nonpartisan, and in many blue cities, endorsements from unions and other interest groups effectively become party labels, Reckhow said.

— Kate Armanini, Chicago Tribune, 16 July 2026
Dean said that at the time, the switch away from direct elections was supported by a broad coalition of conservative and liberal interest groups.

— Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 14 July 2026

Definition of interest groups

Noun

Analyst Kendall Toscano said in a recent note that Ralph Lauren shares are too attractive to ignore at current prices.

— Michael Bloom, CNBC, 1 Aug. 2026
Instead of a broker or a third party wrapping someone else's shares in an offshore vehicle, the company issues its own instrument on chain, inside its own jurisdiction, as a regulated security.

— Boaz Sobrado, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of shares

Noun

Oil companies also invest for the long term, and — while Rodriguez’s government is welcoming foreign firms now — a change of leadership could quickly change that picture.

— Anna Cooban, CNN Money, 2 Aug. 2026
These tokens, offered by firms like Tessera, provide economic exposure to underlying assets but do not confer direct ownership, voting rights, or share registry inclusion.

— Boaz Sobrado, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of firms

Noun

Porter characterized herself as a minivan driving single mom who would work to take on special interests and refuse to take corporate cash.

— Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 17 July 2026
Both measures are sensible safeguards against greedy lawmakers and powerful special interests like SEIU United Healthcare Workers West, the union pushing the billionaire tax.

— Matt Fleming, Oc Register, 13 July 2026

Definition of special interests

Verb

Meanwhile, what fascinates aspiring neurologist Makenzie Stovall is the idea that AI is trying to emulate the brain — an organ whose inner workings continue to leave researchers dumbfounded.

— ABC News, ABC News, 3 Aug. 2026
But the skillful way in which they are woven together belies the efforts that went into telling this story, and Lovely Reader, this dedication to quality fascinates me.

— Rachel Elspeth Gross, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026

Definition of fascinates

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interests

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“Interests.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/interests. Accessed 4 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of interests

noun

verb

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