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.
Instead of tough love, Thrive helps families focus on empathy, compassion and collaborative care. Mary Divine, Twin Cities, 16 Feb. 2025 But maybe the tough love worked because this season’s calculations produced no PSR charges at all. Phil Hay, The Athletic, 15 Jan. 2025 That tough love must have paid off as Saunders seems to be thriving during this current season of his life. Elizabeth Ayoola, Essence, 7 Feb. 2025 Gordon Ramsay has some tough love for the owner of a New Orleans restaurateur who's preparing to serve hundreds of guests during the Super Bowl this year. Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 17 Jan. 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 3 Mar. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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