Synonyms of barbed

barbed

adjective

ˈbärbd 

as in satiric

marked by the use of wit that is intended to cause hurt feelings

barbed satire on American academia

Synonyms & Similar Words

• satiric
• sarcastic
• acidic
• acid
• biting
• caustic
• sardonic
• acerbic
• scathing
• sharp
• acrid
• mordant
• corrosive
• pungent
• cutting
• cynical
• ironic
• blunt
• acidulous
• tart
• snarky
• spiky
• harsh
• cross
• scalding
• smart-aleck
• smart-mouthed
• concise
• incisive
• trenchant
• smart-alecky
• acerb
• wry
• sour
• poignant
• brisk
• dry
• severe
• flippant
• curt
• pithy
• gruff
• vitriolic
• abrupt
• facetious
• sharp-tongued
• keen
• acrimonious
• bitter
• stringent
• brusque
• terse
• succinct
• resentful
• tongue-in-cheek
• sourish
• backhanded
• tartish
• snippy
• crisp
• insincere
• rough
• snippety

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• amusing
• playful
• mild
• gentle
• merry
• droll
• bland
• waggish
• diplomatic
• smooth
• sportive
• polite
• urbane
• good-natured
• cordial
• hospitable
• gracious
• good-humored
• affable
• genial
• suave
• sociable

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of barbed

Instead of trying to locate bears in the wild, the survey relies on hair samples collected in barbed wire traps, which can be used to identify individual bears based on their DNA. — John Moritz, Hartford Courant, 14 Aug. 2026

To simulate thwarting advances by enemy forces using the bridge, soldiers erected layers of barriers and rolled barbed wire. — Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2026

Another drone created a smoke screen while still more blasted through triple-layered barbed wire. — Anna Mulrine Grobe, Christian Science Monitor, 31 July 2026

The train station hulked behind barbed wire, abandoned for years, both witness to and eight million bricks’ worth of evidence of Detroit's near-collapse. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 July 2026