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
State supreme courts have increasingly become a target of special interest groups in recent years, attracting record-breaking spending that reflects the courts' power as the final say in high-profile cases, according to the Brennan Center for Justice, which tracks spending in judicial races.
—
Stacey Barchenger, The Arizona Republic, 18 Oct. 2024
Foreign governments and the private sector, meanwhile, lobby Congress to protect policies that favor them, inhibiting changes that may serve the broad public interest but challenge special interests.
—Christopher S. Chivvis, Foreign Affairs, 14 Oct. 2024
Outside special interests, fostering rampant redevelopment, threaten the character of our caring community.
—Destiny Torres, Orange County Register, 4 Oct. 2024
Our organization proved that the special interest groups attempting to hijack Arizona’s elections systems lacked the minimum number to qualify for the ballot to even be considered by voters in November.
—Jack Birle, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 4 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for special interest 
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of
Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback
about these examples.
Stacey Barchenger, The Arizona Republic, 18 Oct. 2024
Foreign governments and the private sector, meanwhile, lobby Congress to protect policies that favor them, inhibiting changes that may serve the broad public interest but challenge special interests.
—Christopher S. Chivvis, Foreign Affairs, 14 Oct. 2024
Outside special interests, fostering rampant redevelopment, threaten the character of our caring community.
—Destiny Torres, Orange County Register, 4 Oct. 2024
Our organization proved that the special interest groups attempting to hijack Arizona’s elections systems lacked the minimum number to qualify for the ballot to even be considered by voters in November.
—Jack Birle, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 4 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for special interest
Dictionary Entries Near special interest
Cite this Entry
“Special interest.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/special%20interest. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share