tough-minded

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of tough-minded James is quite tough-minded about the limits of radical chic. Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 24 Feb. 2025 The Friday night announcement was criticized by some journalists as a way to score political points and penalize tough-minded news outlets. Brian Stelter, CNN, 7 Feb. 2025 Johnson is viewed as innovative, creative and somewhat tough-minded in his coaching style. Steve Silverman, Forbes, 21 Jan. 2025 The Heat are always a tough-minded unit and it's reflected in their performance. David Faris, Newsweek, 29 Dec. 2024 This approach is not new; it could also be called tough-minded diplomacy. Dan Caldwell, Foreign Affairs, 13 Nov. 2024 There’s a radical, tough-minded generosity here that punches right through the wall of our moment’s hypersensitivity around appropriation. Sara Holdren, Vulture, 7 Feb. 2024 For the British government, that requires tough-minded honesty about the United Kingdom, the balance of power, and the state of the world. David Lammy, Foreign Affairs, 17 Apr. 2024 Under tough-minded presidents, that has occasionally happened. Nicholas Kristof, The Mercury News, 20 Mar. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tough-minded
Adjective
  • But an unsentimental assessment of the regional landscape offers some sense of how Trump could proceed.
    Suzanne Maloney, Foreign Affairs, 10 Dec. 2024
  • This lyrical but unsentimental book is a eulogy for transhumance—the seasonal movement of livestock and the people who watch over them.
    The New Yorker, The New Yorker, 23 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • Unforgiven recasts the genre as a pitiless, almost pathologically unromantic realm populated by twits hoping to make their name and aged gunslingers who have to make peace with their bad pasts.
    Will Leitch, Vulture, 3 Mar. 2025
  • The imagination can’t be bothered with unromantic minutiae.
    Kevin Chroust, Outside Online, 5 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • But LaVine attacked this season with vigor, reshaping himself into a levelheaded leader and efficient scorer who earned quiet praise around the league.
    Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 3 Feb. 2025
  • The first spot, which bowed last week, features SportsCenter anchor Elle Duncan as a levelheaded wedding crasher.
    Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 31 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • So the rational strategy, in many cases, is to wait.
    Phil De Luna, Forbes, 5 Mar. 2025
  • Also use your words to compose a factual, rational statement of your position.
    Chris John Amorosino, Hartford Courant, 4 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Simplifying these requirements may seem like sensible policy in fire-prone California, but opponents of SB 610 say the plan to abolish the ranking system unnecessarily seizes control from local governments and promotes more housing construction in high-risk areas.
    Ari Plachta, Sacramento Bee, 28 Feb. 2025
  • His character was one of the more sensible and sympathetic employees at the paper company, which was almost exclusively populated by unpleasant oddballs.
    Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 28 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • There is no length societies will not go to, no absurd logical leap people won’t take to recast our simple, human act of survival as something dirty and shameful.
    Amanda Nguyen, TIME, 3 Mar. 2025
  • As Lucas puts together his staff, Moran is a logical choice.
    Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 1 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Some who do have a cynical view — asking what good was it for people to risk that bridge crossing for Black freedom when young Black people are killing one another in Selma today?
    Marisa Peñaloza, NPR, 9 Mar. 2025
  • The cynical Pia is not interested but agrees to her family setting her up on five blind dates, but with her sister's wedding looming and her high school sweetheart serving as best man to the groom, chaos is right around the corner.
    William Lambers, Newsweek, 7 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Even as busy moms and entrepreneurs, what keeps them sane is their relationship with each other.
    Bon Appétit, Bon Appétit, 3 Feb. 2025
  • And that’s the last thing anyone needs in a world where protecting your peace and staying sane is already an uphill battle.
    Erica Sloan, SELF, 31 Jan. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Tough-minded.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tough-minded. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.

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