tougher; toughest
1
: difficult to accomplish, resolve, endure, or deal with
a tough question
tough luck
2
: capable of enduring strain, hardship, or severe labor
tough soldiers
4
a
: strong or firm in texture but flexible and not brittle
b
: not easily chewed
tough meat
5
: characterized by severity or uncompromising determination
tough laws
tough discipline
see also get tough on
6
: very hard to influence : stubborn
a tough negotiator
7
: stubbornly fought
a tough contest
8
: marked by absence of softness or sentimentality
a tough critic
toughly
adverb
: in a tough manner (see tough entry 1)
talking tough
toughed; toughing; toughs
: to bear unflinchingly : endure
—usually used with out especially in the phrase tough it out
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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