as in interests
a group of people with a common identifying interest that they seek to protect and promote
observed that if publishers gave in to every pressure group, nothing would ever get published
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 pressure groups
The leader of the Ex-Slave Pension Association was later imprisoned on mail fraud charges, and the organization faded away, while the Eagles became one of the pressure groups that eventually led to Social Security.
—
Trevor Jackson, The New York Review of Books, 4 Apr. 2026
Cosseted by favorable districts and incumbent fundraising advantages, the majority caters mostly to pressure groups — especially socially conservative ones — that influence Republican primaries.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 10 Feb. 2026
Johnson is calling for coordinated national efforts led by mayors and state governments, in concert with public pressure groups and local residents, to combat the actions by ICE, the Border Patrol and other federal authorities.
—David Greising, Chicago Tribune, 30 Jan. 2026
At the same time, pressure groups worked hard to get younger, more YIMBY legislators elected.
—Helen Lewis, The Atlantic, 11 Jan. 2026
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
Trevor Jackson, The New York Review of Books, 4 Apr. 2026
Cosseted by favorable districts and incumbent fundraising advantages, the majority caters mostly to pressure groups — especially socially conservative ones — that influence Republican primaries.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 10 Feb. 2026
Johnson is calling for coordinated national efforts led by mayors and state governments, in concert with public pressure groups and local residents, to combat the actions by ICE, the Border Patrol and other federal authorities.
—David Greising, Chicago Tribune, 30 Jan. 2026
At the same time, pressure groups worked hard to get younger, more YIMBY legislators elected.
—Helen Lewis, The Atlantic, 11 Jan. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pressure groups
Noun
-
And, maybe just, how did this shape your thoughts or interests?—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
19 May 2026
-
After all, what would the Bond film franchise be without love interests, sidekicks and, of course, villainesses?—
John Russell,
PEOPLE,
19 May 2026
Noun
-
Last week, the Citizens Action Coalition of Indiana and 26 other public interest groups called on state and local officials to pause the pace of developing data centers in the Hoosier State, according to the Post-Tribune newspaper.—
Charles Selle,
Chicago Tribune,
13 May 2026
-
Names were then tested in workshops with participants from all over the world, representing all interest groups.—
Annalisa Merelli,
STAT,
12 May 2026
Noun
-
The special interests of the wealthy and well connected have raided our tax dollars.—
Lucas Robinson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 May 2026
-
Our district needs someone who will represent the views and interests of the people of district 20, not of special interests from out-of-state.—
Rose Evans
May 6,
Idaho Statesman,
6 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pressure groups.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pressure%20groups. Accessed 23 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
