BARBED Synonyms: 89 Similar and Opposite Words

barbed

adjective

ˈbärbd

Definition of barbed

as in satiric

marked by the use of wit that is intended to cause hurt feelings barbed satire on American academia

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of barbed Up the other side of the ravine there is another fence, much like the first, but without the barbed wire. — Literary Hub, 24 Aug. 2026 Light tubes, chains, scaffolds, chairs and a barbed wire table all made an appearance. — Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 16 Aug. 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for barbed

Recent Examples of Synonyms for barbed

Adjective

However, the film faced rejection from film festivals like Sundance and SXSW, and struggled to secure traditional studio distribution because of its controversial, pitch-black satirical premise about school shootings and social media.

— Lexi Carson, HollywoodReporter, 30 Sep. 2026
In 1982, the actress was cast as one of the leads on the satirical comedy Filthy Rich.

— Maggie Fremont, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of satiric

Adjective

Fresh Air critic John Powers describes it as a unique blend of creepiness, sarcastic humor and political anger, unlike anything else on TV.

— Brittney Melton, NPR, 2 Oct. 2026
This hampers several of my favorite performances, especially Harper, whose Ben is full of sarcastic indignation, and June Laporte as Ginny, an aspiring reporter in need of proper mentoring.

— Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 19 Sep. 2026

Definition of sarcastic

Adjective

Other novelists have turned to acidic, class-conscious portraits of the underemployed—see Andrew Martin and Halle Butler.

— Ryan Chapman, Literary Hub, 30 Sep. 2026
To set your lettuce up for success, plant it in an area with full sun and slightly acidic, well-draining soil.

— The Spruce, The Spruce, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of acidic

Adjective

Learning to season food, growing comfortable with adding salt—and ultimately acid, spice, and sweetness—according to your own preferences, is what home cooking is all about.

— Chris Morocco, Bon Appetit Magazine, 26 Sep. 2026
The idea that these two would have a five-minute-or-less breakup conversation, then plop down on the couch and happily embark on an acid trip together, strains credulity a little, even for this bizarre, codependent friend group.

— Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of acid

Adjective

Her version is louder and more biting, but never at the sacrifice of the track’s spirit.

— Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 3 Oct. 2026
In 2022, Lee County’s Mosquito Control District decided to try aiming radiation at mosquitoes instead, specifically the biting, disease-carrying kind — Aedes aegypti.

— Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 21 Sep. 2026

Definition of biting

Browse Nearby Words

barbecues

barbed

barber

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“Barbed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/barbed. Accessed 7 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of barbed

adjective

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