1
: having barbs
2
: characterized by pointed and biting criticism or sarcasm
barbed witticisms
Examples of barbed in a Sentence
The candidates exchanged barbed comments during the debate.
barbed satire on American academia
Recent Examples on the Web
Standing in front of an array of 4,500 Canadian solar panels and across from a wall topped with barbed wire, Gov. Ned Lamont today announced the completion of seven solar projects at prisons located in Enfield, Cheshire and Somers.
—
Emilia Otte, Hartford Courant, 25 Apr. 2025
Some of the humor has a barbed, geopolitical aim in a war for the world’s hearts and minds — see the Chinese government’s fusillade of memes — but political scientists say that, for many people, humor is a natural response to stressful times.
—Hailey Branson-Potts, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2025
The musician rapped and sang from behind a barbed wire fence on the stage, as dancers played the role of fellow prisoners and prison guards.
—John Lonsdale, Rolling Stone, 14 Apr. 2025
In January 1942, it was turned into a concentration camp, and it was eventually surrounded by electrified barbed wire.
—Richard Sandomir, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for barbed
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Emilia Otte, Hartford Courant, 25 Apr. 2025
Some of the humor has a barbed, geopolitical aim in a war for the world’s hearts and minds — see the Chinese government’s fusillade of memes — but political scientists say that, for many people, humor is a natural response to stressful times.
—Hailey Branson-Potts, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2025
The musician rapped and sang from behind a barbed wire fence on the stage, as dancers played the role of fellow prisoners and prison guards.
—John Lonsdale, Rolling Stone, 14 Apr. 2025
In January 1942, it was turned into a concentration camp, and it was eventually surrounded by electrified barbed wire.
—Richard Sandomir, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for barbed
Cite this Entry
“Barbed.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/barbed. Accessed 1 May. 2025.
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