tongue-tied; tongue-tying; tongue-ties
: to deprive of speech or the power of distinct articulation
: a congenital defect characterized by limited mobility of the tongue due to a short frenulum
Examples of tongue-tie in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Julia Emmanuele, People.com, 13 July 2025
He had just been toughened up by an impressive 12-goal season on loan with leading Scottish side Rangers from German giants Bayern Munich, but the then 21-year-old could still be quiet, boyish and tongue-tied with journalists when he was farmed out again that summer to the Dutch club.
—Greg O'Keeffe, New York Times, 12 July 2025
Proving that even the most seasoned globetrotter can be tongue-tied, destinations like the Middle Eastern country of Qatar, the French city of Cannes, and Worcestershire, England, are top global searches.
—Kirby Adams, The Courier-Journal, 2 July 2025
The scene goes on at length, Fanny taking and twisting every one of her husband’s arguments into so many knots he is left tongue-tied, all opposition mute, all acquiescence complete.
—Natalie Jenner
may 6, Literary Hub, 6 May 2025
Get tongue-tied at the tropical bar on South Broadway, which is hosting the spelling showdown from 6 to 8 p.m. on Feb. 13.
—Brittany Anas, The Denver Post, 6 Feb. 2025
But tongue-tie is thought to affect only about 7 percent of births.
—San Diego Union-Tribune, Boston Herald, 14 May 2024
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Verb
Though the two have both covered Sports Illustrated Swimsuit, Dunne says that meeting Stewart at the Super Bowl left her tongue-tied.
—Julia Emmanuele, People.com, 13 July 2025
He had just been toughened up by an impressive 12-goal season on loan with leading Scottish side Rangers from German giants Bayern Munich, but the then 21-year-old could still be quiet, boyish and tongue-tied with journalists when he was farmed out again that summer to the Dutch club.
—Greg O'Keeffe, New York Times, 12 July 2025
Proving that even the most seasoned globetrotter can be tongue-tied, destinations like the Middle Eastern country of Qatar, the French city of Cannes, and Worcestershire, England, are top global searches.
—Kirby Adams, The Courier-Journal, 2 July 2025
The scene goes on at length, Fanny taking and twisting every one of her husband’s arguments into so many knots he is left tongue-tied, all opposition mute, all acquiescence complete.
—Natalie Jenner
may 6, Literary Hub, 6 May 2025
Get tongue-tied at the tropical bar on South Broadway, which is hosting the spelling showdown from 6 to 8 p.m. on Feb. 13.
—Brittany Anas, The Denver Post, 6 Feb. 2025
But tongue-tie is thought to affect only about 7 percent of births.
—San Diego Union-Tribune, Boston Herald, 14 May 2024
Cite this Entry
“Tongue-tie.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tongue-tie. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
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