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
Reams of barbed wire gathered from the fields around Penpont were fashioned into a mesh curtain whose ends wrapped around two columns at the top of the museum’s grand staircase; the result was both alluring and forbidding.
—
Rebecca Mead, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2026
Following the 1967 war, a rope of asphalt had replaced the rubble and barbed wire, meandering through the city like an unwanted river.
—Literary Hub, 2 Feb. 2026
Much of the comedy in this action-comedy arrives via barbed exchanges between the constantly bickering James and Jonny.
—Richard Kuipers, Variety, 26 Jan. 2026
Crews on Monday appear to be adding barbed wire atop cement barricades already wrapped around the building — measures no doubt added in response to a consistent group of protestors committed to gathering daily outside the complex near Fort Snelling.
—Wcco Staff, CBS News, 13 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for barbed
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Rebecca Mead, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2026
Following the 1967 war, a rope of asphalt had replaced the rubble and barbed wire, meandering through the city like an unwanted river.
—Literary Hub, 2 Feb. 2026
Much of the comedy in this action-comedy arrives via barbed exchanges between the constantly bickering James and Jonny.
—Richard Kuipers, Variety, 26 Jan. 2026
Crews on Monday appear to be adding barbed wire atop cement barricades already wrapped around the building — measures no doubt added in response to a consistent group of protestors committed to gathering daily outside the complex near Fort Snelling.
—Wcco Staff, CBS News, 13 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for barbed
Cite this Entry
“Barbed.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/barbed. Accessed 11 Feb. 2026.
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