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
Kaczmarek delivered tough love as Lois, the matriarch of the Wilkerson family.
—
Christopher Rudolph, PEOPLE, 10 Apr. 2026
Helen looks to guide, and occasionally push, her daughter through London’s social season, applying tough love when necessary.
—Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 8 Apr. 2026
And to be fair, Cronin has often used his tough love with great success, turning marginal players into good ones.
—Los Angeles Times, 7 Apr. 2026
Fisher says Fudd is like a second parent, often the one dishing out tough love when the freshman needs to hear it.
—Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 27 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for tough love
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Christopher Rudolph, PEOPLE, 10 Apr. 2026
Helen looks to guide, and occasionally push, her daughter through London’s social season, applying tough love when necessary.
—Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 8 Apr. 2026
And to be fair, Cronin has often used his tough love with great success, turning marginal players into good ones.
—Los Angeles Times, 7 Apr. 2026
Fisher says Fudd is like a second parent, often the one dishing out tough love when the freshman needs to hear it.
—Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 27 Mar. 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 18 Apr. 2026.
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