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
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But what starts as a calculated move to secure her fortune turns into an emotional journey, as M must navigate her tough love, difficult demands, and the growing rivalry from other family members hoping for the same payday.
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Travis Bean, Forbes.com, 5 Apr. 2025
Along the way to that game, Tonia Jones balanced tough love with her maternal instinct.
—Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 30 Mar. 2025
Tom Coughlin brought the same tough love that guided two Giants Super Bowl runs to his NFL Combine prospect meetings, veteran wideout Allen Robinson II recalled with a smile Monday.
—Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 25 Feb. 2025
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
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Travis Bean, Forbes.com, 5 Apr. 2025
Along the way to that game, Tonia Jones balanced tough love with her maternal instinct.
—Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 30 Mar. 2025
Tom Coughlin brought the same tough love that guided two Giants Super Bowl runs to his NFL Combine prospect meetings, veteran wideout Allen Robinson II recalled with a smile Monday.
—Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 25 Feb. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for tough love
Cite this Entry
“Tough love.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tough%20love. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
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