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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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. 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

Word History

First Known Use

1968, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of tough love was in 1968

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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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