1
: having barbs
2
: characterized by pointed and biting criticism or sarcasm
barbed witticisms
Synonyms of barbed
Examples of barbed in a Sentence
The candidates exchanged barbed comments during the debate.
barbed satire on American academia
Recent Examples on the Web
Known as the Fortress Revenue Collection Lab, the building does look startlingly like a fortress—with barbed wire, barred windows, brick walls, and a central tower.
—
Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 31 Dec. 2025
His body was found three days later in the Tallahatchie River, weighted down by a metal fan tied around his neck with barbed wire.
—Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 30 Dec. 2025
But barbed comments from strangers may be ignored, and nosy questions may be deflected.
—Judith Martin, Mercury News, 29 Dec. 2025
Only the series’ protagonists seem bothered by their town becoming a zone of barbed wire, checkpoints, and secret operations.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 27 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for barbed
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Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 31 Dec. 2025
His body was found three days later in the Tallahatchie River, weighted down by a metal fan tied around his neck with barbed wire.
—Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 30 Dec. 2025
But barbed comments from strangers may be ignored, and nosy questions may be deflected.
—Judith Martin, Mercury News, 29 Dec. 2025
Only the series’ protagonists seem bothered by their town becoming a zone of barbed wire, checkpoints, and secret operations.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 27 Nov. 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 3 Jan. 2026.
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