tough love
noun
: love or affectionate concern expressed in a stern or unsentimental manner (as through discipline) especially to promote responsible behavior
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web Compassion can be tough love, giving honest counsel that is difficult to hear, saying goodbye to an employee who is not a suitable fit, or saying no to a disappointed child. 
Arthur C. Brooks, The Atlantic, 8 Sep. 2022 Even with Ayton and Williams, who disciplined him with tough love in Game 7. Dana Scott, The Arizona Republic, 16 May 2022 The contestants and their tough love mentors grow and change as each episode progresses, supporting, encouraging and offering a shoulder to cry on. Emily Smith, EW.com, 9 July 2022 The trenchant comedy is a tough love letter to their native Bay Area, about two best friends navigating gentrification, police brutality and a shifting sense of belonging. Naveen Kumar, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 June 2022 When Phoebe is drowning in the consequences of, say, a nip slip on Instagram Live, Malika is always on the next train over, ready to provide an open ear and tough love in equal measure. Selome Hailu, Variety, 14 July 2022 Scared and snapping at our attempts at rescue, this mini-pinscher had to be rangled with a blanket and tough love. cleveland, 7 June 2022 The group even received praise from judge Simon Cowell, who's known for delivering tough love to contestants. Jasmine Washington, Seventeen, 1 June 2022 Late last year, San Francisco Mayor London Breed promised to bring tough love to the troubled Tenderloin. Gwendolyn Wu, San Francisco Chronicle, 15 Apr. 2022 See More
Arthur C. Brooks, The Atlantic, 8 Sep. 2022 Even with Ayton and Williams, who disciplined him with tough love in Game 7. Dana Scott, The Arizona Republic, 16 May 2022 The contestants and their tough love mentors grow and change as each episode progresses, supporting, encouraging and offering a shoulder to cry on. Emily Smith, EW.com, 9 July 2022 The trenchant comedy is a tough love letter to their native Bay Area, about two best friends navigating gentrification, police brutality and a shifting sense of belonging. Naveen Kumar, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 June 2022 When Phoebe is drowning in the consequences of, say, a nip slip on Instagram Live, Malika is always on the next train over, ready to provide an open ear and tough love in equal measure. Selome Hailu, Variety, 14 July 2022 Scared and snapping at our attempts at rescue, this mini-pinscher had to be rangled with a blanket and tough love. cleveland, 7 June 2022 The group even received praise from judge Simon Cowell, who's known for delivering tough love to contestants. Jasmine Washington, Seventeen, 1 June 2022 Late last year, San Francisco Mayor London Breed promised to bring tough love to the troubled Tenderloin. Gwendolyn Wu, San Francisco Chronicle, 15 Apr. 2022 See More Word History
First Known Use
1968, in the meaning defined above