special interest

noun

: 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.
As a major recipient of Pentagon contracts, Musk took a special interest in defending the nomination of Pete Hegseth, a former Fox News host, as Secretary of Defense. Evan Osnos, New Yorker, 26 May 2025 The camp is for students who have a special interest in nature. Sheila Yount, Arkansas Online, 25 May 2025 But each of those special tax breaks have vocal constituencies, and the bigger the tax breaks, the more powerful the special interests that lobby for them. Alexander Bolton, The Hill, 21 Apr. 2025 Two decades ago, Florida officials reformed ethics rules and laws to prevent special interests from influencing state business through freebies such as meals, beverages and trips. Ana Ceballos, Miami Herald, 23 May 2025 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

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Cite this Entry

“Special interest.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/special%20interest. Accessed 8 Jun. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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