Advertisement
Advertisement
tough love
noun
- a mixture of toughness and warmth used in a relationship, especially with an adolescent.
tough love
noun
- the practice of taking a stern attitude towards a relative or friend suffering from an addiction, etc, to help the addict overcome the problem
Discover More
Word History and Origins
Origin of tough love1
Discover More
Example Sentences
A veteran of the first Iraq war in the early 1990s, he was 10 years older than most of his charges, and he treated them with a father’s tough love.
Being told the country needs tough love when the facts suggest otherwise is not going down well with the public.
We need to put aside our partisan criticism and start helping him with some tough love.
Tough love and discipline are the lessons this View host offered her wide-eyed applicant.
Time for some tough love—Republicans leaders have dumped a 100-page report that spells out why their party is in dire straits.
We also push each other with some serious tough love when needed.
Advertisement
Word of the Day
[fur-kin ]
Meaning and examplesStart each day with the Word of the Day in your inbox!
By clicking "Sign Up", you are accepting Dictionary.com Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policies.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Browse