as in insult
an act or expression showing scorn and usually intended to hurt another's feelings
delivered one last barb to his ex-girlfriend as he stalked away
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Recent Examples of barb
The fallout between the two legends stems from a broader web of disagreements: 50 Cent feels betrayed by Big Meech’s association with Rick Ross, who has traded public barbs and diss tracks with 50 for years.
—
Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 28 Apr. 2025
On that beautiful day in April 2024, a crew member read the lines as Jack and Geneviève whispered barbs by the phone.
—Breanne L. Heldman, People.com, 24 Apr. 2025
For better or worse, Wayne is adroit at dropping barbs that leave me speechless.
—Andre Gee, Rolling Stone, 17 Apr. 2025
The gents trade some quite hilarious barbs, and then a wounded Matt suits up for the imminent arrival of some AVTF stooges.
—Matt Webb Mitovich, TVLine, 15 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for barb
Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 28 Apr. 2025
On that beautiful day in April 2024, a crew member read the lines as Jack and Geneviève whispered barbs by the phone.
—Breanne L. Heldman, People.com, 24 Apr. 2025
For better or worse, Wayne is adroit at dropping barbs that leave me speechless.
—Andre Gee, Rolling Stone, 17 Apr. 2025
The gents trade some quite hilarious barbs, and then a wounded Matt suits up for the imminent arrival of some AVTF stooges.
—Matt Webb Mitovich, TVLine, 15 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for barb
Recent Examples of Synonyms for barb
Noun
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Sarandos, playing a cheeky version of himself, delivers a sharp line about contractual award show shout-outs before signing off with an insult.—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
7 May 2025
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People hurled insults as the police started taking down the barricades.—
Carolyn Komatsoulis,
Idaho Statesman,
7 May 2025
Noun
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There’s tenderness and frustration, playfulness and sarcasm; respect and fatigue.—
Yvonne Villarreal,
Los Angeles Times,
1 May 2025
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TikTok viewers chimed in with a mix of sarcasm, solidarity, and surprisingly creative suggestions.—
Arick Wierson,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Barb.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/barb. Accessed 25 May. 2025.
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