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
Fieri’s advice comes in the form of tough love, which makes sense for their brotherly relationship.
—
Sabrina Weiss, Peoplemag, 12 Apr. 2024
Even if that is true, sometimes circumstances call for tough love.
—Adam Taylor, Washington Post, 4 Apr. 2024
But Jason Dunbar, a broker and appraisal surveyor with Vessel Value Survey, recommended tough love to the brokers.
—Kevin Koenig, Robb Report, 19 Mar. 2024
Justin Tatum and Brandy Cole-Barnes have been supportive parents to Jayson Tatum from high school and college basketball, all the way to the NBA
Jayson Tatum cites tough love from his parents Justin Tatum and Brandy Cole-Barnes as the reason for his success as an athlete today.
—Francesca Gariano, Peoplemag, 26 Feb. 2024
Where to watch Bye Bye Birdie: YouTube Credit: Everett Collection
To Sir, With Love (1967)
Sidney Poitier, playing a London schoolteacher, uses a combo of tough love and storytelling (and perhaps, his movie-star handsome looks) to win over a group of unruly students in To Sir, With Love.
—Debby Wolfinsohn, EW.com, 15 Sep. 2023
Trending Stories Global Entry Just Launched the First-Ever ‘Enrollment on Departure’ Option
This is ultimately an act of self-love that feels like tough love in the moment.
—Steph Koyfman, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 Feb. 2024
This was more than an example of his trademark tough love.
—Dylan Hernández, Los Angeles Times, 25 Feb. 2024
Even her support of her spouse at his lowest moments reads as tough love.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 25 Feb. 2024
Sabrina Weiss, Peoplemag, 12 Apr. 2024
Even if that is true, sometimes circumstances call for tough love.
—Adam Taylor, Washington Post, 4 Apr. 2024
But Jason Dunbar, a broker and appraisal surveyor with Vessel Value Survey, recommended tough love to the brokers.
—Kevin Koenig, Robb Report, 19 Mar. 2024
Justin Tatum and Brandy Cole-Barnes have been supportive parents to Jayson Tatum from high school and college basketball, all the way to the NBA
Jayson Tatum cites tough love from his parents Justin Tatum and Brandy Cole-Barnes as the reason for his success as an athlete today.
—Francesca Gariano, Peoplemag, 26 Feb. 2024
Where to watch Bye Bye Birdie: YouTube Credit: Everett Collection
To Sir, With Love (1967)
Sidney Poitier, playing a London schoolteacher, uses a combo of tough love and storytelling (and perhaps, his movie-star handsome looks) to win over a group of unruly students in To Sir, With Love.
—Debby Wolfinsohn, EW.com, 15 Sep. 2023
Trending Stories Global Entry Just Launched the First-Ever ‘Enrollment on Departure’ Option
This is ultimately an act of self-love that feels like tough love in the moment.
—Steph Koyfman, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 Feb. 2024
This was more than an example of his trademark tough love.
—Dylan Hernández, Los Angeles Times, 25 Feb. 2024
Even her support of her spouse at his lowest moments reads as tough love.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 25 Feb. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'tough love.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near tough love
Cite this Entry
“Tough love.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tough%20love. Accessed 23 Apr. 2024.
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