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.

ironic joking ironically

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

facetious wry facetiously jokingly

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.”

ironic facetious wry joking

Opposites

sincere earnest in earnest

2. adverb

In a way that is not meant to be taken seriously.

“She said it tongue in cheek, but nobody laughed.”

ironically facetiously jokingly

How to use tongue in cheek

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

tongue-in-cheek remark strictly tongue in cheek said tongue in cheek

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.

People also searched

joking sincere ironic ironically earnest wry facetious facetiously

Nearby words

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