tough-minded

[ tuhf-mahyn-did ]

adjective

1. characterized by a practical, unsentimental attitude or point of view.
2. strong-willed; vigorous; not easily swayed.

tough-minded

adjective

1. practical, unsentimental, stern or intractable

Derived Forms

• ˌtough-ˈmindedness, noun
• ˌtough-ˈmindedly, adverb

Other Words From

• tough-minded·ly adverb
• tough-minded·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of tough-minded¹

First recorded in 1905–10

Example Sentences

Mr. Khan, known as a gifted speaker and a tough-minded litigator, took an unusual approach to announcing his request for arrest warrants for leaders of Hamas and Israel.

From New York Times

When his business faltered, Trump became a reality television star on “ The Apprentice,” a show that portrayed him as the ideal tough-minded businessman, an image he rode into the White House in 2016.

From Seattle Times

Once it becomes apparent that this droll, tough-minded actress is playing a tomato who wants little more from life than a few trash novels and a jogging partner, confusion set in.

From New York Times

No matter how tough-minded you are, being in the midst of a jeering crowd that hates truth more than anything is not amendable to any kind of fact-checking.

From Salon

How does a person whom Time called "a tough-minded man who has long shown an abundance of intellectual and physical resiliency" wind up on a window ledge?

From Salon

Related Words

• hard-nosed
• single-minded
• strong-willed