barbed

barbed

adjective \ˈbärbd\

Definition of BARBED

1

: having barbs

2

: characterized by pointed and biting criticism or sarcasm <barbed witticisms>

Examples of BARBED

1. The candidates exchanged barbed comments during the debate.
2. <barbed satire on American academia>

First Known Use of BARBED

1611

Related to BARBED

Synonyms

acerb, acerbic, acid, acidic, acidulous, acrid, sarcastic, biting, caustic, corrosive, cutting, mordant, pungent, sardonic, satiric (or satirical), scalding, scathing, sharp, smart-aleck, smart-alecky, smart-mouthed, snarky, tart

Related Words

brisk, cross, sharp-tongued, sour, sourish, spiky (also spikey), tartish; incisive, keen, poignant, trenchant; cynical, dry, ironic (also ironical), wry; facetious, flippant, tongue-in-cheek; acrimonious, bitter, resentful, vitriolic; harsh, rough, severe, stringent; abrupt, blunt, brusque (also brusk), concise, crisp, curt, gruff, pithy, snippety, snippy, succinct, terse; backhanded, insincere

Near Antonyms

amusing, droll, merry, playful, sportive, waggish; gentle, mild; bland; good-humored, good-natured; diplomatic, polite, smooth, suave, urbane; affable, cordial, genial, gracious, hospitable, sociable