tongue-in-cheek

1. Ironically: “The critic's remarks of praise were uttered strictly tongue-in-cheek.”

Example Sentences

Content under the #RaptureTok ranges from solemn warnings to earnest prep, and plenty of tongue-in-cheek advice.

From Salon

“I really try to make it feel put together, but always with a bit of irony or something tongue-in-cheek.”

From Los Angeles Times

So when the jumbotron section of the show starts on Friday, Martin issues a tongue-in-cheek disclaimer.

From BBC

Kirk often referred tongue-in-cheek to his lack of a college degree when engaging in debates with students and academics on esoteric topics such as post-modernism.

From BBC

Carney’s affectionate salute to the local hero had one line that tickled the crowd — “As Uncle Buck said,” the PM intoned with tongue-in-cheek gravitas — and pointed political jabs that got people clapping.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• amusing 
• comic 
• flippant 
• humorous 
• ironic 
• irreverent 
• jocular 
• joking 
• playful 
• sarcastic 
• satirical 
• whimsical