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
Only the series’ protagonists seem bothered by their town becoming a zone of barbed wire, checkpoints, and secret operations.
—
Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 27 Nov. 2025
One immediate effect of that chaos was Jessica Capshaw’s Blythe being knocked from her horse and thrown into a barbed wire fence, then left passed out and bleeding in the wild.
—Jennifer Maas, Variety, 14 Nov. 2025
After an initial flurry of barbed statements and rebuttals, the two companies have settled into a less-vocal posture.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 14 Nov. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for barbed
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Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 27 Nov. 2025
One immediate effect of that chaos was Jessica Capshaw’s Blythe being knocked from her horse and thrown into a barbed wire fence, then left passed out and bleeding in the wild.
—Jennifer Maas, Variety, 14 Nov. 2025
After an initial flurry of barbed statements and rebuttals, the two companies have settled into a less-vocal posture.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 14 Nov. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for barbed
Cite this Entry
“Barbed.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/barbed. Accessed 13 Dec. 2025.
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