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.
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 

Word History

First Known Use

1968, in the meaning defined above

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

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 28 Nov. 2024.

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!