as in flippant
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Recent Examples of tongue-in-cheek
Such a proclamation was more than just a tongue-in-cheek play on words.
—
Keith Murphy, VIBE.com, 12 Dec. 2025
O’Connell’s tongue-in-cheek delivery signaled the incident was somewhat lighthearted, and most would agree that O’Connell made the right call in keeping his superstar receiver on the sideline.
—Michael Gallagher, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Dec. 2025
The collection comes with hosting essentials — a serving platter, serving bowl, dinner plates, coasters, and napkins — all inscribed with tongue-in-cheek barbs the comedians helped come up with.
—Jillian Sederholm, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Dec. 2025
The evening began with CBS News Sunday Morning correspondent David Pogue performing a tongue-in-cheek song and piano solo honoring the nominees.
—Mary Lee, CBS News, 4 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tongue-in-cheek
Keith Murphy, VIBE.com, 12 Dec. 2025
O’Connell’s tongue-in-cheek delivery signaled the incident was somewhat lighthearted, and most would agree that O’Connell made the right call in keeping his superstar receiver on the sideline.
—Michael Gallagher, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Dec. 2025
The collection comes with hosting essentials — a serving platter, serving bowl, dinner plates, coasters, and napkins — all inscribed with tongue-in-cheek barbs the comedians helped come up with.
—Jillian Sederholm, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Dec. 2025
The evening began with CBS News Sunday Morning correspondent David Pogue performing a tongue-in-cheek song and piano solo honoring the nominees.
—Mary Lee, CBS News, 4 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tongue-in-cheek
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tongue-in-cheek
Adjective
-
Often, though, the clutter is the point, and you’re smacked with temperamental textures that channel the flippant streak of plunderphonics.—
H.D. Angel,
Pitchfork,
7 Jan. 2026
-
The prosecutors were flippant in dismissing the SEC’s questions.—
Ben Wieder,
Miami Herald,
23 Dec. 2025
Adjective
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His posture is authoritative without being imposing, his voice warm without being facetious.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
5 Dec. 2025
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Powell was, of course, being facetious, as the low-quality videos featured the actor as a teen running and jumping in the street and lip-syncing to the song while wearing a yacht captain’s hat.—
Rachel DeSantis,
PEOPLE,
17 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Now, in an ironic twist of a slasher’s blade, Miska returning to the internet horror field, this time as the owner of Bloody Disgusting’s chief competitor, Dread Central.—
Borys Kit,
HollywoodReporter,
6 Jan. 2026
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The memes, commentary, and speculation became a culture unto itself, a loop of ironic posting, information warring, and commentary on commentary—all before his shooter was identified or Kirk was even pronounced dead.—
Charlie Warzel,
The Atlantic,
6 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Clark balances serious conversations with wry humor, which is how people often deal with stress.—
Oline H. Cogdill,
Sun Sentinel,
8 Jan. 2026
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But sink into this wry, poignant story and all is forgiven.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
8 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
This adaptation of the popular RPG could have been a cynical cash grab, but writer-directors Jonathan Goldstein and John Francis Daley chose the right approach by crafting a loving tribute to what makes the game so addictive without taking it too seriously.—
Kevin Jacobsen,
Entertainment Weekly,
19 Jan. 2026
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Daria The monotone, cynical, ultimate critic of suburban life, popularity, and high school.—
Lauren Brown West-Rosenthal,
Parents,
19 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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The classic styles run from Sercial, the driest and most bracing, through Verdelho, which sits in the medium-dry range, to Boal (or Bual) for medium-sweet wines, and Malvasia (often labeled Malmsey) at the richest end of the spectrum.—
Lauren Mowery,
Forbes.com,
22 Jan. 2026
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Despite all of the clouds, most of Saturday should be dry for traveling.—
Cutter Martin,
CBS News,
22 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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What makes the film so poignant is that Iwerks essentially gets out of the way.—
Todd Martens,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Jan. 2026
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These glimpses into the woman Noelle has become are refreshing and poignant.—
Ruth Madievsky,
The Atlantic,
21 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tongue-in-cheek.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tongue-in-cheek. Accessed 25 Jan. 2026.
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