tongue-in-cheek

1 of 2

adjective

Synonyms of tongue-in-cheek
: characterized by insincerity, irony, or whimsical exaggeration

tongue in cheek

2 of 2

adverb

: with insincerity, irony, or whimsical exaggeration

Examples of tongue-in-cheek in a Sentence

Adverb The whole interview was done tongue in cheek.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Adjective
While chatting with the NFL brothers, Jason posed a tongue-in-cheek question to the Prince of Wales. Erin Hill, PEOPLE, 3 July 2026 Sox fans probably are not enamored with the idea of Breslow as Executive of the Year, even as a tongue-in-cheek possibility. Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 30 June 2026
Adverb
And so everything about the book was meant to be also a little tongue in cheek. Caroline Reilly, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026 Swift was shown spoon-feeding him, tongue in cheek, like a fussy baby in a restaurant. Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 20 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for tongue-in-cheek

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1899, in the meaning defined above

Adverb

1856, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of tongue-in-cheek was in 1856

Browse Nearby Words

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Cite this Entry

“Tongue-in-cheek.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tongue-in-cheek. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

Kids Definition

tongue-in-cheek

1 of 2 adjective
: not meant to be taken seriously

tongue in cheek

2 of 2 adverb
: in a tongue-in-cheek manner

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