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
The YouTube cameras caught Kelce giving some tough love to Taylor, which involved a small head-butt and loud words.
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Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 6 Sep. 2025
What Jeremiah really needs right now is a hug, but Taylor and Steven are doing their best with tough love and diligently protecting him from his own phone.
—Kathleen Walsh, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2025
The vast majority of Mumsnet users said that the OP needed to show some tough love — and put the needs of her daughter over her adult brother.
—Toria Sheffield, People.com, 24 Aug. 2025
Brett Hoebel was a trainer on The Biggest Loser during its 11th season, known for his tough love and martial arts prowess.
—EW.com, 15 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tough love
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Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 6 Sep. 2025
What Jeremiah really needs right now is a hug, but Taylor and Steven are doing their best with tough love and diligently protecting him from his own phone.
—Kathleen Walsh, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2025
The vast majority of Mumsnet users said that the OP needed to show some tough love — and put the needs of her daughter over her adult brother.
—Toria Sheffield, People.com, 24 Aug. 2025
Brett Hoebel was a trainer on The Biggest Loser during its 11th season, known for his tough love and martial arts prowess.
—EW.com, 15 Aug. 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 11 Sep. 2025.
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