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
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In early March, Niccol gave corporate employees tough love, urging them to work harder and take greater accountability for Starbucks’ financial health following the layoff of 1,100 workers.
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Francisco Velasquez, Quartz, 13 Mar. 2025
Despite the persistence of her VA group counselor (Morgan Freeman), the tough love of her mother (Gloria Reuben) and the levity of an unexpected love interest, Merit’s dysfunctional friendship with Zoe keeps the duo insulated from the world.
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 28 Feb. 2025
Trump's tough love during his first time in the White House spurred Germany and other European countries to spend more on defense, and this accelerated with Ukraine's plight.
—Matt Robison, Newsweek, 24 Feb. 2025
Although Matty is, sadly, right about a lot of her suppositions — including her insistence that Ellie had lied about being on the wagon when the toddler Alfie burned himself — the tough love is, honestly, tough to take.
—Noel Murray, Vulture, 20 Feb. 2025
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Francisco Velasquez, Quartz, 13 Mar. 2025
Despite the persistence of her VA group counselor (Morgan Freeman), the tough love of her mother (Gloria Reuben) and the levity of an unexpected love interest, Merit’s dysfunctional friendship with Zoe keeps the duo insulated from the world.
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 28 Feb. 2025
Trump's tough love during his first time in the White House spurred Germany and other European countries to spend more on defense, and this accelerated with Ukraine's plight.
—Matt Robison, Newsweek, 24 Feb. 2025
Although Matty is, sadly, right about a lot of her suppositions — including her insistence that Ellie had lied about being on the wagon when the toddler Alfie burned himself — the tough love is, honestly, tough to take.
—Noel Murray, Vulture, 20 Feb. 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 27 Mar. 2025.
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