tough-minded
Americanadjective
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characterized by a practical, unsentimental attitude or point of view.
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strong-willed; vigorous; not easily swayed.
adjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of tough-minded
First recorded in 1905–10
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
In the 1970s, when they won their only two NBA titles, the Knicks were known as a "blue-collar, hard-working, tough-minded team," according to Adam Criblez, author of a book on the squad.
From Barron's ● Jun. 7, 2026
If the business-casual look is par for the course in American politics, it’s less common across the pond, and was evidently intended to signal a tough-minded reset.
From Salon ● May 12, 2026
“What IBM needs right now is a series of very tough-minded, market-driven, highly effective strategies in each of its businesses.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 29, 2025
Based on an especially tough-minded piece of writing, this is a film that will get you contemplating pettiness and righteousness both.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 20, 2025
And I tell myself I'm proud of myself for being so mentally strong, so tough-minded.
From "Things Not Seen" by Andrew Clements
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
