special interest

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See synonyms for: special interests on Thesaurus.com

noun

a political or economic stake in something: Japan had a special interest in the South China Sea.

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QUIZ YOURSELF ON "WAS" VS. "WERE"!

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“Was” is used for the indicative past tense of “to be,” and “were” is only used for the subjunctive past tense.

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Origin of special interest

An Americanism dating back to 1785–90

OTHER WORDS FROM special interest

special-interest, adjective

Words nearby special interest

special educational needs, special effect, special effects, Special Forces, special handling, special interest, special-interest group, specialism, specialist, specialistic, specialist registrar

How to use special interest in a sentence

In a letter to the carriers Monday, the three lawmakers took special interest in Comcast, citing public reporting that it would start charging the heaviest Internet users in the Northeast more.
House Democrats ask AT&T, Comcast to share data about home Internet shutoffs as lawmakers eye new stimulus aid|Tony Romm|January 12, 2021|Washington Post
The political insiders have been smothering Virginians’ best interests with their special interests.
Political newcomer with ability to self-fund to enter race for Virginia governor|Laura Vozzella|January 11, 2021|Washington Post
He developed a special interest and expertise in domestic terrorism.
Domestic Terrorism: A More Urgent Threat, but Weaker Laws|by Sebastian Rotella|January 8, 2021|ProPublica
Ginny Merrifield, executive director of the group, told me that it formed as a result of concerns that the coronavirus pandemic has demonstrated how politics and special interests, namely teachers’ unions, take precedence over the needs of children.
North County Report: New Parents Group Pushes School Reopenings|Kayla Jimenez|January 7, 2021|Voice of San Diego

She told KUSI she thought Campbell was controlled by special interests.
Politics Report: What the Dramatic Council President Contest Taught Us|Scott Lewis and Andrew Keatts|December 12, 2020|Voice of San Diego
But in the case of black women, another study found no lack of interest.
The Unbearable Whiteness of Congress|Dean Obeidallah|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
But if you have a hearing and you prove that someone is mature enough, well then that state interest evaporates.
Should Teens Have The Right To Die?|Brandy Zadrozny|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
While public interest in Ebola continues to dwindle, the epidemic itself continues to soar.
The Race for the Ebola Vaccine|Abby Haglage|January 7, 2015|DAILY BEAST
As for the federal authorities, they have made themselves available but the clergy have not requested special protection.
Mexico’s Priests Are Marked for Murder|Jason McGahan|January 7, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Lennon casually told some DC friends about it and found there was local interest in establishing Dinner Parties.
Everyone at This Dinner Party Has Lost Someone|Samantha Levine|January 6, 2015|DAILY BEAST
In the parish churches, many of which are of great interest, the predominant styles are Decorated and Perpendicular.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 3, Slice 4|Various
And with some expressions of mutual good-will and interest, master and man separated.
The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club, v. 2(of 2)|Charles Dickens
A desultory conversation on politics, in which neither took the slightest interest, was a safe neutral ground.
The Pit Town Coronet, Volume I (of 3)|Charles James Wills
His also was the intellectual point of view, and the intellectual interest in knowledge and its deductions.
The Mediaeval Mind (Volume II of II)|Henry Osborn Taylor
She stabbed him, noting the effect upon him with a detached interest that seemed indifferent to his pain.
The Wave|Algernon Blackwood