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
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers offered some tough love to a fan at the American Century Championship celebrity golf tournament over the weekend.
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Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 14 July 2025
Amid grief and surprises, Madea pounces on some hidden family secrets, turning the funeral into a hilarious therapy session before delivering some trademark tough love and hilarious jokes.
—Jane Lacroix, People.com, 13 July 2025
But the Beatles legend who has made mellow vibes his calling card for half a century had to share some tough love with director Sam Mendes when the pair met in London earlier this year to discuss the filmmaker’s ambitious four-part Fab Four biopic project.
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 3 July 2025
The cast has finally calibrated their drama, delivering relatively low-stakes arguments that strike the perfect balance between realistic and absurd, from arguing about taking shots and joking that Drew looks like Betty Rubble to giving Brit some tough love about her attitude.
—Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 9 June 2025
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Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 14 July 2025
Amid grief and surprises, Madea pounces on some hidden family secrets, turning the funeral into a hilarious therapy session before delivering some trademark tough love and hilarious jokes.
—Jane Lacroix, People.com, 13 July 2025
But the Beatles legend who has made mellow vibes his calling card for half a century had to share some tough love with director Sam Mendes when the pair met in London earlier this year to discuss the filmmaker’s ambitious four-part Fab Four biopic project.
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 3 July 2025
The cast has finally calibrated their drama, delivering relatively low-stakes arguments that strike the perfect balance between realistic and absurd, from arguing about taking shots and joking that Drew looks like Betty Rubble to giving Brit some tough love about her attitude.
—Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 9 June 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 22 Jul. 2025.
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