tongue-in-cheek

1 of 2

adjective

: 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 a lot of today’s blurbs are tongue-in-cheek, this one unequivocally isn’t. Sean Gentille, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025 Murphy, in the lead-up to the series, made a tongue-in-cheek remark about having to face the dominant Japanese closer. Nelson Espinal, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025
Adverb
Shanahan, tongue in cheek, suggested the 49ers would never be involved in stealing signs. Jerry McDonald, Mercury News, 26 Sep. 2025 The game has been viewed as a tongue in cheek critique of military dictatorships, with references to fascism and colonialism. Dan Gooding hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Sep. 2025 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 22 Oct. 2025.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on tongue-in-cheek

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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