1
: having barbs
2
: characterized by pointed and biting criticism or sarcasm
barbed witticisms
Examples of barbed in a Sentence
The candidates exchanged barbed comments during the debate.
barbed satire on American academia
Recent Examples on the Web
Blood of My Blood doesn’t shy away from the violence and gore of this war — there is blood and guts and young men dying, there is poison gas and bodies on barbed wire.
—
Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 9 Aug. 2025
Panthers will be stymied by 28,000 feet of barbed wire fencing.
—Elise Bennett, The Orlando Sentinel, 3 Aug. 2025
Medvedev replied, in one of several barbed posts throughout the week.
—Callum Sutherland, Time, 31 July 2025
Steer clear of barbed wire fences, power lines, and windmills.
—Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 23 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for barbed
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Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 9 Aug. 2025
Panthers will be stymied by 28,000 feet of barbed wire fencing.
—Elise Bennett, The Orlando Sentinel, 3 Aug. 2025
Medvedev replied, in one of several barbed posts throughout the week.
—Callum Sutherland, Time, 31 July 2025
Steer clear of barbed wire fences, power lines, and windmills.
—Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 23 July 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 21 Aug. 2025.
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