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
Dancing With the Stars recap: Judges dish out tough love on Disney Night
And the 10s just kept coming!
—
Calie Schepp, EW.com, 30 Oct. 2024
But the tough love in the kitchen won over viewers’ hearts to the tune of the series airing for 22 seasons.
—Demarco Williams, Forbes, 17 Oct. 2024
In the coach’s eyes, this decision isn’t a punishment, or even tough love.
—Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 24 Sep. 2024
Dancing With the Stars alum Cheryl Burke is offering some tough love for season 33 contestant Anna Delvey and words of wisdom for the fake heiress's pro partner, Ezra Sosa, from one dancer to another.
—Lauren Huff, EW.com, 21 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for tough love 
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.
Calie Schepp, EW.com, 30 Oct. 2024
But the tough love in the kitchen won over viewers’ hearts to the tune of the series airing for 22 seasons.
—Demarco Williams, Forbes, 17 Oct. 2024
In the coach’s eyes, this decision isn’t a punishment, or even tough love.
—Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 24 Sep. 2024
Dancing With the Stars alum Cheryl Burke is offering some tough love for season 33 contestant Anna Delvey and words of wisdom for the fake heiress's pro partner, Ezra Sosa, from one dancer to another.
—Lauren Huff, EW.com, 21 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for tough love
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 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share