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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of barb
The public rift between President Donald Trump and Elon Musk has widened, with the pair exchanging new barbs — just days after Musk departed the administration.
—
Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 5 June 2025
Deeb saved some of his harshest barbs for WLS-Ch. 7, which coincidentally became his future employer.
—Bob Goldsborough, Chicago Tribune, 5 June 2025
That living arrangement produces some friction and good-natured barbs, but Sybil, as played by Lavin, always leads with love and a generous spirit.
—Glenn Whipp, Los Angeles Times, 3 June 2025
Martin's well aware, and has no issues accepting and dismissing such barbs.
—Marco Della Cava, USA Today, 2 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for barb
Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 5 June 2025
Deeb saved some of his harshest barbs for WLS-Ch. 7, which coincidentally became his future employer.
—Bob Goldsborough, Chicago Tribune, 5 June 2025
That living arrangement produces some friction and good-natured barbs, but Sybil, as played by Lavin, always leads with love and a generous spirit.
—Glenn Whipp, Los Angeles Times, 3 June 2025
Martin's well aware, and has no issues accepting and dismissing such barbs.
—Marco Della Cava, USA Today, 2 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for barb
Recent Examples of Synonyms for barb
Noun
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The president and the governor are having a momentous fight about constitutional rights in the courts, and flaming each other with insults and photoshopped memes on Truth Social and X. The ICE raids have thrown some Angelenos into a state of fear and virtual hiding.—
Julia Wick,
Los Angeles Times,
14 June 2025
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And while many residents and officials in Los Angeles have sought to tamp down reactions to the sometimes-violent protests, President Donald Trump and his administration have appeared to fan the flames, hurling insults in social media posts and encouraging an aggressive response to protests.—
Pamela Avila,
USA Today,
11 June 2025
Noun
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The tuna and oranges scene, which is famously our introduction to Rita’s sarcasm and her ability to eviscerate someone and be funny about it.—
Jackie Strause,
HollywoodReporter,
3 June 2025
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Comey laid out concerns that Steele's sarcasm and suggestions that Mia is lying are bordering on harassment and that Steele is adding to Mia's trauma.—
NBC News,
NBC news,
2 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Barb.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/barb. Accessed 19 Jun. 2025.
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