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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Recent Examples of barbs
Kimmel and Damon have playfully traded barbs over the past two decades since that moment, roping others like Ben Affleck, Sarah Silverman, and Tom Brady into their shenanigans.
—
Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Oct. 2025
While politicians continue to trade insults and barbs on social media over the partial federal government shutdown, federal officials have taken another step toward increasing the use of coal power.
—Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 3 Oct. 2025
For several days, Minaj and Card B have been embroiled in a vicious back-and-forth on the platform, with the two women trading sharp barbs about each other’s appearances and children.
—Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 3 Oct. 2025
Then the device dissolves into a person’s body like stitches, and the barbs holding it in place have growth hormones in them.
—Tabitha Parent, PEOPLE, 3 Oct. 2025
No barbs being thrown back and forth.
—Dane Mizutani, Twin Cities, 19 Sep. 2025
But over the course of his exile, Ali’s barbs and stunts against Frazier grew into something more venomous.
—Vann R. Newkirk Ii, The Atlantic, 16 Sep. 2025
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts and Kansas City Chiefs defensive lineman Chris Jones were heard trading barbs toward the end of their game on Sunday evening.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 15 Sep. 2025
But the barbs are often partisan.
—Jonathan Lansner, Oc Register, 12 Sep. 2025
Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Oct. 2025
While politicians continue to trade insults and barbs on social media over the partial federal government shutdown, federal officials have taken another step toward increasing the use of coal power.
—Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 3 Oct. 2025
For several days, Minaj and Card B have been embroiled in a vicious back-and-forth on the platform, with the two women trading sharp barbs about each other’s appearances and children.
—Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 3 Oct. 2025
Then the device dissolves into a person’s body like stitches, and the barbs holding it in place have growth hormones in them.
—Tabitha Parent, PEOPLE, 3 Oct. 2025
No barbs being thrown back and forth.
—Dane Mizutani, Twin Cities, 19 Sep. 2025
But over the course of his exile, Ali’s barbs and stunts against Frazier grew into something more venomous.
—Vann R. Newkirk Ii, The Atlantic, 16 Sep. 2025
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts and Kansas City Chiefs defensive lineman Chris Jones were heard trading barbs toward the end of their game on Sunday evening.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 15 Sep. 2025
But the barbs are often partisan.
—Jonathan Lansner, Oc Register, 12 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for barbs
insults
Noun
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On Saturday, McIlroy repeatedly had to step away from his golf ball as spectators shouted obscenities and personal insults at the Irishman.—
Jenna West,
New York Times,
2 Oct. 2025
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Antoni, a former Heritage Foundation economist, had come under fire for his history of social media posts that used economic stats for partisan purposes, sexist remarks, and insults targeting gay TV anchors.—
Ruth Umoh,
Fortune,
1 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Barbs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/barbs. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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