: characterized by insincerity, irony, or whimsical exaggeration
: 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
Hannah Kirby, Journal Sentinel, 24 Oct. 2024
Largely Midwestern and rural, Juggalos have developed their own set of traditions and modes of expression, including face painting, drinking the affordable soft drink Faygo and a tongue-in-cheek obsession with murder.
—Kevin Dolak, The Hollywood Reporter, 23 Oct. 2024
Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 17 July 2024
In fairness, some of it was tongue in cheek, but there was definitely an element of seriousness to it.
—Mike Freeman, USA TODAY, 5 Feb. 2024
See all Example Sentences for tongue-in-cheek 
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Adjective
The tongue-in-cheek rapper got his start during his time as a student there.
—Hannah Kirby, Journal Sentinel, 24 Oct. 2024
Largely Midwestern and rural, Juggalos have developed their own set of traditions and modes of expression, including face painting, drinking the affordable soft drink Faygo and a tongue-in-cheek obsession with murder.
—Kevin Dolak, The Hollywood Reporter, 23 Oct. 2024
Adverb
Wearing a colorful beach hat emblazoned with hot dog icons, Stewart drew TV cameras and several dozen downtown merchants to her declaration — only slightly tongue in cheek — that Hard-Hittin’ New Britain deserves the title of alpha dog in the hot dog world.
—Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 17 July 2024
In fairness, some of it was tongue in cheek, but there was definitely an element of seriousness to it.
—Mike Freeman, USA TODAY, 5 Feb. 2024
See all Example Sentences for tongue-in-cheek
Dictionary Entries Near tongue-in-cheek
Cite this Entry
“Tongue-in-cheek.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tongue-in-cheek. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.
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