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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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 barbs
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
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
The brothers have publicly traded barbs in the 16 years since Oasis’ breakup, with their spat regularly making headlines around the world.
—Lianne Kolirin, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2025
Paul and Davis have traded public barbs for years.
—Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 20 Aug. 2025
Candidates in the head-to-head contest for Charlotte City Council District 4 traded barbs on Tuesday over development, transparency and affordable housing.
—Charlotte Observer, 19 Aug. 2025
The case is still ongoing, and both sides have traded barbs about their responsibility for the debacle.
—Barbara Peterson, AFAR Media, 19 Aug. 2025
His opening monologue, which was light on politics and A-list star barbs, earned laughs and O'Brien hit all the right notes, keeping the nearly four-hour show moving through the night.
—Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 2 Mar. 2025
Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 4 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
The brothers have publicly traded barbs in the 16 years since Oasis’ breakup, with their spat regularly making headlines around the world.
—Lianne Kolirin, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2025
Paul and Davis have traded public barbs for years.
—Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 20 Aug. 2025
Candidates in the head-to-head contest for Charlotte City Council District 4 traded barbs on Tuesday over development, transparency and affordable housing.
—Charlotte Observer, 19 Aug. 2025
The case is still ongoing, and both sides have traded barbs about their responsibility for the debacle.
—Barbara Peterson, AFAR Media, 19 Aug. 2025
His opening monologue, which was light on politics and A-list star barbs, earned laughs and O'Brien hit all the right notes, keeping the nearly four-hour show moving through the night.
—Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 2 Mar. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for barbs
insults
Noun
-
Perhaps Florence might have learned to cast aside the envy that seemed to be suppressed only by her outbursts and insults, her ever-increasing appetite, a collection of maladies that seemed to anger and horrify her father even further.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Sep. 2025
-
When big gatherings of police and federal agents suddenly show up in residential areas, crowds often meet them with cell phone cameras, righteous indignation and insults.—
Daniel C. Vock,
Chicago Tribune,
31 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Barbs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/barbs. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share