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
Thailand accused Cambodia of laying fresh landmines following the removal of a barbed wire fence, which was discovered on November 9.
—
Helen Regan, CNN Money, 11 Nov. 2025
Chinese reports stated that the attack-type wolf robots cleared barbed wire and trenches in three to five minutes, while the transport variants followed closely behind.
—Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 5 Nov. 2025
In the yard, decorations include nooses, hanging bodies, guards in towers and barbed wire fences.
—Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 27 Oct. 2025
The actress is clearly relishing the opportunity to deliver Aaron Sorkin’s barbed dialogue (though perhaps not as much as Philip Seymour Hoffman, who steals the show as an explosive CIA functionary).
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 10 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for barbed
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Helen Regan, CNN Money, 11 Nov. 2025
Chinese reports stated that the attack-type wolf robots cleared barbed wire and trenches in three to five minutes, while the transport variants followed closely behind.
—Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 5 Nov. 2025
In the yard, decorations include nooses, hanging bodies, guards in towers and barbed wire fences.
—Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 27 Oct. 2025
The actress is clearly relishing the opportunity to deliver Aaron Sorkin’s barbed dialogue (though perhaps not as much as Philip Seymour Hoffman, who steals the show as an explosive CIA functionary).
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 10 Oct. 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 22 Nov. 2025.
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