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
Natalie’s desire to take on everything speaks to the can-do nature of Cancer, which is met with tough love.
—
Lisa Stardust,
PEOPLE,
25 June 2026
Former cohost Sherri Shepherd also recently opened up about Walters' tough love at the table.
—
Joey Nolfi,
Entertainment Weekly,
24 June 2026
Grappling with grief Everything – the tough love, the repressed feelings, the cruelty of his father’s illness – is tumbling out of Sanders.
—
Rob Picheta,
CNN Money,
21 June 2026
Call it tough love or just good parenting.
—
Jonathan I. Shenkman,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for tough love
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Lisa Stardust,
PEOPLE,
25 June 2026
Former cohost Sherri Shepherd also recently opened up about Walters' tough love at the table.
—
Joey Nolfi,
Entertainment Weekly,
24 June 2026
Grappling with grief Everything – the tough love, the repressed feelings, the cruelty of his father’s illness – is tumbling out of Sanders.
—
Rob Picheta,
CNN Money,
21 June 2026
Call it tough love or just good parenting.
—
Jonathan I. Shenkman,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2026
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 1 Jul. 2026.
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