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

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

As for Kel’el Ware, the tough love (which, at least of late, has been justified) does have the mitigating factor of devaluing a trade asset. —Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 25 Mar. 2026

After a layup from Jaquez and free throws from Rice extended the lead to double-digits before the break, UCLA regrouped, laying into one another with tough love. —Aaron Heisen, Daily News, 22 Mar. 2026

It’s called motivation, and Cronin’s version of tough love – not dissimilar to the methods of UConn’s Dan Hurley – got his players’ attention. —Jim Alexander, Oc Register, 21 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1968, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for tough love

• above
• foxglove
• hereof
• thereof
• whereof
• dove
• glove
• of
• shove
• hereinabove