tough love
noun
: love or affectionate concern expressed in a stern or unsentimental manner (as through discipline) especially to promote responsible behavior
Examples of tough love in a Sentence
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Executive producer Lisa reprised her perennial role as wise boss keeping her staff in line, though not so vigilantly as to interfere with the drama, through tough love.
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Judy Berman, Time, 4 Dec. 2025
Below, Singh and Musteata speak to Deadline about riskily filming in Paris, the problem with kissing and creating a world of hurt and tough love.
—Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 30 Nov. 2025
One can imagine Powter prowling a stage, shouting catchphrases into a tiny microphone, bringing up tourists from the audience for tough love and then hugs.
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 18 Nov. 2025
That’s the case for the Giants after some tough love from their veteran leaders.
—Dan Duggan, New York Times, 11 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tough love
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Judy Berman, Time, 4 Dec. 2025
Below, Singh and Musteata speak to Deadline about riskily filming in Paris, the problem with kissing and creating a world of hurt and tough love.
—Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 30 Nov. 2025
One can imagine Powter prowling a stage, shouting catchphrases into a tiny microphone, bringing up tourists from the audience for tough love and then hugs.
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 18 Nov. 2025
That’s the case for the Giants after some tough love from their veteran leaders.
—Dan Duggan, New York Times, 11 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tough love
Cite this Entry
“Tough love.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tough%20love. Accessed 8 Dec. 2025.
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