tough-minded

adjective

tough-mind·​ed ˈtəf-ˌmīn-dəd How to pronounce tough-minded (audio)
: realistic or unsentimental in temper or outlook
tough-minded survivors
tough-mindedness noun

Examples of tough-minded 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.
This approach is not new; it could also be called tough-minded diplomacy. Dan Caldwell, Foreign Affairs, 13 Nov. 2024 There’s a radical, tough-minded generosity here that punches right through the wall of our moment’s hypersensitivity around appropriation. Sara Holdren, Vulture, 7 Feb. 2024 For the British government, that requires tough-minded honesty about the United Kingdom, the balance of power, and the state of the world. David Lammy, Foreign Affairs, 17 Apr. 2024 Under tough-minded presidents, that has occasionally happened. Nicholas Kristof, The Mercury News, 20 Mar. 2024 Against them, there is the tough-minded continual splendor of Robinson’s attention to Genesis’ figures in the landscape. Francis Spufford, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2024 Seesaw first half Izzo and Rutgers coach Steve Pikiell are known for their tough-minded, defense-first teams. Detroit Free Press, 14 Jan. 2024 And why was Barbara, the tough-minded author of Nickel and Dimed and Fear of Falling, buying into this gauzy nonsense? Timothy Noah, The New Republic, 19 Sep. 2023 Popkin also does not present credible evidence that Montes, as some of his sources allege, significantly distorted the intelligence community’s characteristically tough-minded assessments of Cuba. Jim Popkin, Foreign Affairs, 18 Apr. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1907, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of tough-minded was in 1907

Dictionary Entries Near tough-minded

Cite this Entry

“Tough-minded.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tough-minded. Accessed 3 Dec. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on tough-minded

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!