vested interest
8 synonyms for vested interest, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A personal stake in how something turns out, which gives you a reason to argue for a particular outcome and may make your advice unreliable.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. noun
A personal stake in how something turns out, which gives you a reason to argue for a particular outcome and may make your advice unreliable.
“He has a vested interest in the merger going ahead, so treat his figures carefully.”
2. noun
A group or organisation that benefits from an existing arrangement and works to keep it in place. Usually plural.
“Reform was blocked by the vested interests of the industry.”
3. noun legal
In law, a present and absolute right to future property or benefits, which cannot be taken away.
“After five years the employee has a vested interest in the pension scheme.”
How to use vested interest
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Neutral to slightly critical; common in journalism, politics and business.
Etymology
From vested, meaning legally settled or secured, from Latin vestire 'to clothe'.
Full origin of vested interest →