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 Neither Bonta’s office nor that of Empire State AG Letitia James replied to Deadline’s request Wednesday for comment on Nexstar’s barbed filing. — Dominic Patten, Deadline, 8 July 2026 The fence, as constructed, is more than 8 feet tall and is topped with a strand of barbed wire — too high for many animals to jump and dangerous for those that attempt to do so. — Elise Schmelzer, Denver Post, 28 June 2026 Vines have grown through the fence and barbed wire surrounding a tall art deco building in this city’s downtown, and cigarette holders and empty food tins litter the tall weeds. — Susan Svrluga, Washington Post, 24 June 2026 South Korean soldiers patrol along a barbed wire fence Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) separating North and South Korea, on the South Korean island of Ganghwa, in a April 23, 2020 file photo. — CBS News, 24 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for barbed

Recent Examples of Synonyms for barbed

Adjective

Much of that expansion has been driven by the Cockroach Janta Party, a satirical group that started the movement two months ago.

— ABC News, ABC News, 25 July 2026
Currently, Jon Stewart hosts the satirical news program on Mondays, sharing anchor duties with a rotating team of senior correspondents on the other days of the week.

— Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 25 July 2026

Definition of satiric

Adjective

The pilot is charming and funny, immediately drawing me into the dynamic of its two characters — Romy is a bit more gregarious and sarcastic, Bobby more sensitive and sullen.

— Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 17 July 2026
Obviously, Dawkins is being very sarcastic here, but that’s the type of relationship these two share.

— Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 17 July 2026

Definition of sarcastic

Adjective

How To Care For Onions In Pots Onions prefer well-draining, loamy, and slightly acidic to neutral soil, such as potting soil with compost mixed in.

— Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 22 July 2026
The way the soil responds will give you an idea of whether your soil is acidic, alkaline, or neutral.

— Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 July 2026

Definition of acidic

Adjective

The pacing is more frenetic, the narration more biting, the flashbacks more jarring, and the comedowns much harsher.

— Hannah Giorgis Yohannes, Vanity Fair, 13 July 2026
Described as a biting political thriller in the tradition of Wild in the Streets and V for Vendetta, The Hunted is set in a dystopian America where trans people are brutalized and erased to the margins of society.

— Glenn Garner, Deadline, 20 June 2026

Definition of biting

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barbecues

barbed

barber

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“Barbed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/barbed. Accessed 29 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of barbed

adjective

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