as in interest
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
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 special interest
The House floor was frozen for more than a day as leaders and rebels hashed out complicated deals on amendment votes and coupling special interest bills with larger must-pass items.
—
Emily Brooks, The Hill, 1 May 2026
The evidence relating to these crimes was of special interest, given that Kirwan’s murder and Gately’s surveillance are also part of the charge against Kinahan.
—Ed Caesar, New Yorker, 30 Apr. 2026
Streaming services usually offer add-ons (like a sports-specific package) for special interests, and Sling TV is no exception.
—Jason Pham, StyleCaster, 28 Apr. 2026
Bari Weiss, editor in chief at CBS News, is known to have a special interest in Israeli and Middle East affairs, and her selection of Raice to supervise all foreign coverage would suggest that focus will continue.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 27 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for special interest
Emily Brooks, The Hill, 1 May 2026
The evidence relating to these crimes was of special interest, given that Kirwan’s murder and Gately’s surveillance are also part of the charge against Kinahan.
—Ed Caesar, New Yorker, 30 Apr. 2026
Streaming services usually offer add-ons (like a sports-specific package) for special interests, and Sling TV is no exception.
—Jason Pham, StyleCaster, 28 Apr. 2026
Bari Weiss, editor in chief at CBS News, is known to have a special interest in Israeli and Middle East affairs, and her selection of Raice to supervise all foreign coverage would suggest that focus will continue.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 27 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for special interest
Recent Examples of Synonyms for special interest
Noun
-
Perhaps the shocking recent news of Alex Murdaugh’s convictions being overturned will spark voter interest in the Hulu true-crime miniseries.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
19 May 2026
-
And, maybe just, how did this shape your thoughts or interests?—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
19 May 2026
Noun
-
But the race drew in millions of dollars against him from pro-Israel interest groups, including from the Republican Jewish Coalition Victory Fund.—
Jesse Bedayn,
Fortune,
20 May 2026
-
Doing this job right requires navigating state politics, negotiating with competing economic interest groups and managing a 1,400-person bureaucracy that oversees more than 1,600 insurance companies.—
Mercury News & East Bay Times Editorial Boards,
Mercury News,
15 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Special interest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/special%20interest. Accessed 23 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
