tongue-in-cheek
1 of 2adjective
ˈtəŋ-in-ˈchēk 
: characterized by insincerity, irony, or whimsical exaggeration
tongue in cheek
2 of 2adverb
: with insincerity, irony, or whimsical exaggeration
Example Sentences
Adverb The whole interview was done tongue in cheek.
Recent Examples on the Web
Starr Bowenbank, Billboard, 3 June 2022 And so, there’s a lot of things very much so on this record that are tongue in cheek. Starr Bowenbank, Billboard, 3 June 2022 And so, there’s a lot of things very much so on this record that are tongue in cheek. Starr Bowenbank, Billboard, 3 June 2022 That is the second piece of tongue in cheek criticism emanating from the country’s largest cinema chain inside a week. Patrick Frater, Variety, 28 July 2022 And so, there’s a lot of things very much so on this record that are tongue in cheek. Starr Bowenbank, Billboard, 3 June 2022 And so, there’s a lot of things very much so on this record that are tongue in cheek. Starr Bowenbank, Billboard, 3 June 2022 Dog stories revolved around displays of hunting prowess by these beloved partners and the friendly and amusing banter that involves grandiose accomplishments told with tongue in cheek. Steve Meyer, Anchorage Daily News, 11 June 2022 And so, there’s a lot of things very much so on this record that are tongue in cheek. Starr Bowenbank, Billboard, 3 June 2022 See More
Adverb
And so, there’s a lot of things very much so on this record that are tongue in cheek. Starr Bowenbank, Billboard, 3 June 2022 And so, there’s a lot of things very much so on this record that are tongue in cheek. Starr Bowenbank, Billboard, 3 June 2022 And so, there’s a lot of things very much so on this record that are tongue in cheek. Starr Bowenbank, Billboard, 3 June 2022 That is the second piece of tongue in cheek criticism emanating from the country’s largest cinema chain inside a week. Patrick Frater, Variety, 28 July 2022 And so, there’s a lot of things very much so on this record that are tongue in cheek. Starr Bowenbank, Billboard, 3 June 2022 And so, there’s a lot of things very much so on this record that are tongue in cheek. Starr Bowenbank, Billboard, 3 June 2022 Dog stories revolved around displays of hunting prowess by these beloved partners and the friendly and amusing banter that involves grandiose accomplishments told with tongue in cheek. Steve Meyer, Anchorage Daily News, 11 June 2022 And so, there’s a lot of things very much so on this record that are tongue in cheek. Starr Bowenbank, Billboard, 3 June 2022 See More Word History
First Known Use
Adjective
1899, in the meaning defined above
Adverb
1856, in the meaning defined above
tongue-in-cheek
adjective
as in flippant
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- flippant
- facetious
- ironic
- wry
- cynical
- poignant
- ironical
- vitriolic
- dry
- incisive
- trenchant
- sardonic
- sarcastic
- acrimonious
- satiric
- pithy
- succinct
- resentful
- stringent
- blunt
- concise
- snarky
- acerbic
- bitter
- terse
- harsh
- brusque
- caustic
- satirical
- scathing
- spiky
- gruff
- curt
- severe
- brisk
- keen
- sour
- cross
- abrupt
- barbed
- snippy
- mordant
- sharp-tongued
- pungent
- corrosive
- crisp
- acid
- acidic
- backhanded
- insincere
- tart
- acrid
- smart-alecky
- biting
- sourish
- rough
- smart-aleck
- tartish
- acidulous
- scalding
- spikey
- cutting
- snippety
- brusk
- smart-mouthed
- acerb
- sharp
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- amusing
- playful
- waggish
- merry
- mild
- droll
- gentle
- sportive
- bland
- diplomatic
- polite
- good-natured
- good-humored
- urbane
- suave
- smooth
- gracious
- affable
- cordial
- hospitable
- genial
- sociable
- underreader
- underream
- underreamer
- underreckonings
- underreport
- underreported
- underreporting
- underreports
- underrepresentation
- underrepresentations
- underrepresented
- underrepresenting
- underrepresents
- underrer
- underrest
- underripe
- underround
- underruff
- underrun
- underrunning
- underruns
- unders
- undersailed
- undersanded
- undersaturated