special treatment
A form of exceptional handling or care that differs from the standard, often implying favoritism.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“He expects special treatment just because he is the boss.”
“The manager gave her special treatment by letting her leave early every Friday, which annoyed the rest of the team.”
“While the company claims to value equality, the executive's children clearly receive special treatment regarding promotions and salary increases.”
The second sense is a calque of German Sonderbehandlung.
- 01
cold treatment
Cold shoulder.
- 02
give the royal treatment
To treat (someone) extremely well.
- 03
special delivery
Something—whether desirable or undesirable—which is intentionally given to a specific individual or which an individual receives rapidly and unexpectedly; the personalized, direct quality of the transmission of such an item.
- 04
special military operation
A military situation resembling a war; especially the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine.
- 05
special needs
Needs for special care, services or accommodations for people with disabilities.
- 06
special relationship
A political and diplomatic relationship between two countries that is particularly close and is considered to be based on deep historical and ideological ties rather than merely common interests; especially:
Last updated August 10, 2026