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
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
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Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 18 Nov. 2025
Christian, a 28-year-old postal worker from Biloxi, appeared on the Oct. 29 episode of Financial Audit, a podcast hosted by financial advisor Caleb Hammer in which a weekly guest gets grilled on their personal finances — often with a heavy dose of tough love.
—Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 1 Nov. 2025
Eric Trump in the book described his household growing as one of tough love.
—Kinsey Crowley, USA Today, 20 Oct. 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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Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 18 Nov. 2025
Christian, a 28-year-old postal worker from Biloxi, appeared on the Oct. 29 episode of Financial Audit, a podcast hosted by financial advisor Caleb Hammer in which a weekly guest gets grilled on their personal finances — often with a heavy dose of tough love.
—Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 1 Nov. 2025
Eric Trump in the book described his household growing as one of tough love.
—Kinsey Crowley, USA Today, 20 Oct. 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 26 Nov. 2025.
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