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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of barb
Paul and Davis have traded public barbs for years.
—
Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 20 Aug. 2025
Candidates in the head-to-head contest for Charlotte City Council District 4 traded barbs on Tuesday over development, transparency and affordable housing.
—Charlotte Observer, 19 Aug. 2025
The case is still ongoing, and both sides have traded barbs about their responsibility for the debacle.
—Barbara Peterson, AFAR Media, 19 Aug. 2025
His opening monologue, which was light on politics and A-list star barbs, earned laughs and O'Brien hit all the right notes, keeping the nearly four-hour show moving through the night.
—Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 2 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for barb
Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 20 Aug. 2025
Candidates in the head-to-head contest for Charlotte City Council District 4 traded barbs on Tuesday over development, transparency and affordable housing.
—Charlotte Observer, 19 Aug. 2025
The case is still ongoing, and both sides have traded barbs about their responsibility for the debacle.
—Barbara Peterson, AFAR Media, 19 Aug. 2025
His opening monologue, which was light on politics and A-list star barbs, earned laughs and O'Brien hit all the right notes, keeping the nearly four-hour show moving through the night.
—Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 2 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for barb
Recent Examples of Synonyms for barb
Noun
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Perhaps, like Elizabeth in the face of Darcy’s insult, Austen would also be prompted to spread spirited gossip about her heroine’s doubters and haters.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
4 Sep. 2025
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When big gatherings of police and federal agents suddenly show up in residential areas, crowds often meet them with cell phone cameras, righteous indignation and insults.—
Daniel C. Vock,
Chicago Tribune,
31 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Advertisement That theme, submerged beneath chaos and sarcasm, surfaces in these interludes.—
JP Mangalindan,
Time,
28 Aug. 2025
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Podolner was also asked to tone down or stop his use of humor or sarcasm to build rapport with students.—
Bob Skolnik,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Barb.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/barb. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
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