tough
781
3.8
- adjective
- /tʌf/
- She is a tough woman who never shows her emotions in public.
- tough-minded
- tough love
- get tough
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Watch on YouTubeAnd that might sound quite tough, but it's tough love.
- And that might sound quite tough, but it's tough love.
- He was quite tough at times, from what I read.
- That depends on how tough the stand up comedian is.
- Can you have thick skin, tough skin and not be callous?
- And so my mom was really tough on us, really tough on us.
- I see that woman is unbelievably tough and absolutely right.
- Like I feel really like I'm tough, but I'm fragile.
- I think people then would definitely mentally tougher than we are now.
- Like, and I'm, I'm a tough person, but I, I get my feelings hurt.
- You, you seem like a tough person to please.
- I want to be, I want to be like tough for them.
- But also I am a really, I am the toughest person on myself.
Examples
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And so my mom was really tough on us, really tough on us.
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And she was, she was a tough woman, trust me.
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Because I mean, it's it's a tough world we live in.
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In our society, males are expected to be tough and able to handle problems.
Academic text (1991) -
Farming had always been tough, but the conditions on Angel made it close to impossible.
Fiction book (1991) -
She had a tough life.
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I didn't know you could be so tough.
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You don't look so tough.
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In a tough negotiation, he remained calm and unyielding.
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Many believe that to survive in that industry, you have to be tough and resilient.
Synonyms
38
5.6
Made emotionally tougher after repeated difficult experiences
30
4.3
A person who decides to do something and does not change their mind
19
5.5
Being very determined and not showing fear
19
4.2
Can accept criticism without feeling hurt
13
7.2
A practical, tough person who is not moved by feelings
11
7.1
Someone who can deal with hard things and stay calm
9
6.5
A person who is tough and does not show feelings or pity
6
6.1
A person who deals with problems in a realistic, determined way and is not easily moved by feelings
4
8.2
Tough and not easily upset because of difficult past experiences
2
4.8
Does not get upset by criticism or rude remarks
1
7.2
Not feeling or showing pity for other people
1
8.6
Being emotionally hard and not showing feelings because of bad experiences
Antonyms
Idioms
Compounds
How Resilient
Surface Forms
Etymology
Tough comes from an old English word toh meaning 'strong' or 'hard'. So a tough person is one who is 'hard' inside — not easily moved by feelings and able to deal with difficult things.