tongue in cheek
7 synonyms and 3 antonyms for tongue in cheek, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adjective — Meant as a joke rather than seriously, while being delivered in a straight-faced or apparently sincere way.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. adjective
Meant as a joke rather than seriously, while being delivered in a straight-faced or apparently sincere way.
“His tongue-in-cheek guide to surviving the office Christmas party went viral.”
Opposites
2. adverb
In a way that is not meant to be taken seriously.
“She said it tongue in cheek, but nobody laughed.”
How to use tongue in cheek
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Neutral and widely used. Hyphenated before a noun (a tongue-in-cheek review), usually open elsewhere (he was speaking tongue in cheek).
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between tongue in cheek and sarcastic?
Both say the opposite of what is meant, but tongue in cheek is playful and good-natured, aimed at amusing rather than cutting. Sarcasm carries an edge and is usually directed at someone with the intention to mock or criticise.
What is the difference between tongue in cheek and deadpan?
Tongue in cheek describes the content — the words are not meant seriously. Deadpan describes the delivery — the face and voice give nothing away. A joke can be both, and often is.
Should tongue in cheek be hyphenated?
Hyphenate it when it modifies a noun directly, as in a tongue-in-cheek apology. Leave it unhyphenated when it follows the verb, as in the apology was tongue in cheek.