as in insult
an act or expression showing scorn and usually intended to hurt another's feelings
delivered one last barb to his ex-girlfriend as he stalked away
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of barb
The Drake–Kendrick Lamar battle stands as one of hip-hop’s most defining modern rivalries, marked by blistering diss tracks, deeply personal barbs, and a shift in public perception that favored Lamar.
—
Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 23 Mar. 2026
The former mixed martial arts fighter vowed to take a less partisan and confrontational approach to the job than predecessor Noem, even as both parties traded barbs.
—Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 18 Mar. 2026
There are campaign posters, a jingle blaring over loudspeakers, television cameras, lots of handshakes and selfies, and, of course, a stump speech full of pledges as well as barbs for the rival candidate.
—ABC News, 12 Mar. 2026
Some of my fish-advocate friends will cut the hooks off their flies—not just the barb, but the whole damn hook—to eliminate the risk of harming an endangered fish by catching it.
—Kim Cross, Travel + Leisure, 10 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for barb
Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 23 Mar. 2026
The former mixed martial arts fighter vowed to take a less partisan and confrontational approach to the job than predecessor Noem, even as both parties traded barbs.
—Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 18 Mar. 2026
There are campaign posters, a jingle blaring over loudspeakers, television cameras, lots of handshakes and selfies, and, of course, a stump speech full of pledges as well as barbs for the rival candidate.
—ABC News, 12 Mar. 2026
Some of my fish-advocate friends will cut the hooks off their flies—not just the barb, but the whole damn hook—to eliminate the risk of harming an endangered fish by catching it.
—Kim Cross, Travel + Leisure, 10 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for barb
Recent Examples of Synonyms for barb
Noun
-
Laughs and insults, all expressed at a high volume, were guaranteed to follow.—
Chris Perkins,
Sun Sentinel,
31 Mar. 2026
-
The fan repeatedly shouted insults at Punk while pledging allegiance to Reigns.—
Andrew Ravens,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Goldberg responded with open sarcasm and frustration.—
Andrew Ravens,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Mar. 2026
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That’s a heavy dose of sarcasm for those who overreacted to Judge’s first few at-bats of a long, grueling season.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
27 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Barb.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/barb. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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