Definitions

get tough with

VERB

quarrel

Synonyms

STRONGEST

argue bicker break with carp complain differ fall out feud spar squabble tangle wrangle

STRONG

altercate battle brawl bump caterwaul cavil charge clash collide contend contest disapprove dispute dissent divide embroil fight hassle row scrap spat strive struggle vary war

WEAK

be at loggerheads cross swords find fault have it out have words lock horns mix it up object to set to take exception take on

Antonyms

STRONGEST

agree concur harmonize ignore

STRONG

approve endorse give in give up keep make peace retreat sanction surrender yield

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.

See Examples For:

get tough with

You feel underestimated nine times out of 10, and you’ve got to get tough with that and get used to it and know that it’s not personal.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 14, 2025

“So much of what we see now about the war in Vietnam is a function of the individual personalities and characters of people and their inability to just get tough with themselves.”

From Salon ● Apr. 30, 2025

His strategy has therefore been to get tough with Pyongyang.

From BBC ● Apr. 11, 2024

The campaign is part of a larger strategy to get tough with Starbucks as contract negotiations have stalled.

From Washington Times ● Jul. 12, 2023

Then things get tough with a visit to No. 5 Notre Dame.

From Seattle Times ● Aug. 18, 2022

get tough with

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

Related Words