as in insults
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 barbs
But the barbs are often partisan.
—
Jonathan Lansner, Oc Register, 12 Sep. 2025
The barbs were frequently aimed at the gruff owner of Mel’s Diner played by the late Vic Tayback.
—Greg Evans, Deadline, 10 Sep. 2025
Democratic and Republican leaders have traded barbs over whom or what is to blame in this case — and for violence nationwide.
—Holly Yan, CNN Money, 10 Sep. 2025
Coel, the boundary-pushing revelation from I May Destroy You, is a perfect foil, hiding Lori’s feelings behind her deadpan delivery, unblinking sphinx-like stare and wary body language but poised to shoot barbs when the moment calls for them.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 9 Sep. 2025
In more recent years, fleeting trends and other fashion antics sometimes sidetracked Armani, especially on the runway, where aviator hats or tricky pants — from bloomers to loose, low-crotch styles — won him barbs from critics.
—Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 4 Sep. 2025
Trump has often traded barbs with Pritzker and current Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson (D) over the city in recent days.
—Tara Suter, The Hill, 3 Sep. 2025
Joanna Lumley’s Grandmama Hester Frump also plays an important role in the second half of Season 2, as Dort continues to court her for Nevermore donations and the three generations of Addams Family women exchange barbs.
—Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Democratic California Governor Gavin Newsom and Republican Florida Governor Ron DeSantis have traded barbs over which state ranks higher in key metrics this week.
—Andrew Stanton, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Aug. 2025
Jonathan Lansner, Oc Register, 12 Sep. 2025
The barbs were frequently aimed at the gruff owner of Mel’s Diner played by the late Vic Tayback.
—Greg Evans, Deadline, 10 Sep. 2025
Democratic and Republican leaders have traded barbs over whom or what is to blame in this case — and for violence nationwide.
—Holly Yan, CNN Money, 10 Sep. 2025
Coel, the boundary-pushing revelation from I May Destroy You, is a perfect foil, hiding Lori’s feelings behind her deadpan delivery, unblinking sphinx-like stare and wary body language but poised to shoot barbs when the moment calls for them.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 9 Sep. 2025
In more recent years, fleeting trends and other fashion antics sometimes sidetracked Armani, especially on the runway, where aviator hats or tricky pants — from bloomers to loose, low-crotch styles — won him barbs from critics.
—Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 4 Sep. 2025
Trump has often traded barbs with Pritzker and current Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson (D) over the city in recent days.
—Tara Suter, The Hill, 3 Sep. 2025
Joanna Lumley’s Grandmama Hester Frump also plays an important role in the second half of Season 2, as Dort continues to court her for Nevermore donations and the three generations of Addams Family women exchange barbs.
—Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Democratic California Governor Gavin Newsom and Republican Florida Governor Ron DeSantis have traded barbs over which state ranks higher in key metrics this week.
—Andrew Stanton, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for barbs
insults
Noun
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Egyptian influencers linked to intelligence fronts launched vicious personal attacks, including ethnic slurs, against the Saudi royal family and graphic insults targeting the crown prince.—
Khaled Hassan,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Sep. 2025
-
After a brief pause, the messages resumed months later and escalated to 40-50 a day, ranging from insults about Lauryn’s appearance to alarming threats against her relationship.—
Jordana Comiter,
People.com,
9 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Barbs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/barbs. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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