as in interests
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
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Recent Examples of special interests
Thanks to money-hungry special interests and spendthrift leaders, Californians pay among the highest corporate, sales, gas and income taxes in the nation.
—
The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 9 Sep. 2025
In those races, there are independent expenditures that include developers, unions and other special interests.
—Van Schoales, Denver Post, 9 Sep. 2025
Our health policies are guided by evidence, common sense, and respect for individual rights—not ideological agendas or special interests.
—Peter Aitken, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Sep. 2025
Speaking broadly about Miami City Hall, Voccola said he can’t be bought by special interests.
—Miami Herald, 28 Aug. 2025
Passion-Driven Practice and Lifelong Learning One of the hallmarks of autism is the presence of ‘special interests,’ defined as intense, focused passions that can last a lifetime.
—Alison Escalante, Forbes.com, 26 Aug. 2025
The ability for the ultra-wealthy and special interests to drown out the voice of everyday people is overwhelming.
—Adena Ishii, Mercury News, 21 Aug. 2025
That kind of partnership can happen again if citizens and politicians show how to put national welfare above president, party and special interests.
—Mike McGrew, Baltimore Sun, 18 Aug. 2025
Slaughter's special interests are clinical research trials in thoracic surgery and training future leaders in thoracic surgery, according to UofL's website.
—Krista Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 13 Aug. 2025
The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 9 Sep. 2025
In those races, there are independent expenditures that include developers, unions and other special interests.
—Van Schoales, Denver Post, 9 Sep. 2025
Our health policies are guided by evidence, common sense, and respect for individual rights—not ideological agendas or special interests.
—Peter Aitken, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Sep. 2025
Speaking broadly about Miami City Hall, Voccola said he can’t be bought by special interests.
—Miami Herald, 28 Aug. 2025
Passion-Driven Practice and Lifelong Learning One of the hallmarks of autism is the presence of ‘special interests,’ defined as intense, focused passions that can last a lifetime.
—Alison Escalante, Forbes.com, 26 Aug. 2025
The ability for the ultra-wealthy and special interests to drown out the voice of everyday people is overwhelming.
—Adena Ishii, Mercury News, 21 Aug. 2025
That kind of partnership can happen again if citizens and politicians show how to put national welfare above president, party and special interests.
—Mike McGrew, Baltimore Sun, 18 Aug. 2025
Slaughter's special interests are clinical research trials in thoracic surgery and training future leaders in thoracic surgery, according to UofL's website.
—Krista Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 13 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for special interests
Noun
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Changes are needed that address excessive fees, availability of tickets for fans at fair prices and keeping the process aligned with artists interests that benefit their fans.—
Walden Green,
Pitchfork,
19 Sep. 2025
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Like Buffett, many of Biglari’s interests revolve around classic American brands that were neglected by their previous owners.—
Lily Mae Lazarus,
Fortune,
18 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Yet financial interventions from powerful interest groups short-circuit the most basic channels of representative government.—
John J. Donohue,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Sep. 2025
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All this at a time when minority writers are also disproportionately the targets of censorship by Republican state houses and right-wing interest groups.—
Kevin Dickinson,
Big Think,
2 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Special interests.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/special%20interests. Accessed 21 Sep. 2025.
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