tongue-in-cheek

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The name is tongue-in-cheek, but investors haven’t had patience for actual stodginess lately.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 3, 2026

Meanwhile, New York's Mayor Zohran Mamdani has signed a tongue-in-cheek executive order "temporarily repealing bedtimes" to encourage children to watch the late-night games.

From Barron's • Jun. 3, 2026

Its tongue-in-cheek membership criteria include being chronically online and having "the ability to rant professionally".

From BBC • May 23, 2026

Other stars have accepted it with a bit more tongue-in-cheek grace.

From Salon • May 10, 2026

She gave me an A on the written report, saying she liked my tongue-in-cheek approach to criticism, but warned me to clean up the language and watch my run-on sentences.

From "Anthem of a Reluctant Prophet" by Joanne Proulx