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
Tensions flared between the parties as the otherwise mild-mannered Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) traded barbs with Democrats.
—
Ramsey Touchberry, The Washington Examiner, 7 Nov. 2025
But shortly after, Minaj threw barbs as SZA’s career, criticizing her decision to re-release her 2022 album SOS as the deluxe version Lana last year.
—Rachel Desantis, PEOPLE, 6 Nov. 2025
The race has been marked by barbs between Huffman and Wambsganss, as both try to win over the conservative vote, and flowing money, as billionaires waded into the North Texas election.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Nov. 2025
In recent months, the 79-year-old has traded barbs with Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Kimmel and Jimmy Fallon, too.
—Megan Cartwright, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2025
Take William Shakespeare, who is often portrayed as a carouser, downing pints while exchanging barbs with his fellow writers, cheating on his wife with both men and women, passionately engaging his quill to reimagine the very nature of the human being.
—Isaac Butler, The Atlantic, 3 Nov. 2025
This summer, Wyoming’s Game and Fish Commission passed regulations that designated some sections fly-only and required anglers to pinch their barbs.
—Christine Peterson, Outdoor Life, 30 Oct. 2025
That Hedda has forged such a life for herself is a testament to her wiles — no one is more adept at delivering acidic barbs cloaked by a friendly hand on the shoulder.
—Abby Monteil, Them., 28 Oct. 2025
The move comes as the federal government shutdown drags on into its fourth week with no end in sight, and Democrats and Republicans trading barbs and blame.
—Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 28 Oct. 2025
Ramsey Touchberry, The Washington Examiner, 7 Nov. 2025
But shortly after, Minaj threw barbs as SZA’s career, criticizing her decision to re-release her 2022 album SOS as the deluxe version Lana last year.
—Rachel Desantis, PEOPLE, 6 Nov. 2025
The race has been marked by barbs between Huffman and Wambsganss, as both try to win over the conservative vote, and flowing money, as billionaires waded into the North Texas election.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Nov. 2025
In recent months, the 79-year-old has traded barbs with Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Kimmel and Jimmy Fallon, too.
—Megan Cartwright, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2025
Take William Shakespeare, who is often portrayed as a carouser, downing pints while exchanging barbs with his fellow writers, cheating on his wife with both men and women, passionately engaging his quill to reimagine the very nature of the human being.
—Isaac Butler, The Atlantic, 3 Nov. 2025
This summer, Wyoming’s Game and Fish Commission passed regulations that designated some sections fly-only and required anglers to pinch their barbs.
—Christine Peterson, Outdoor Life, 30 Oct. 2025
That Hedda has forged such a life for herself is a testament to her wiles — no one is more adept at delivering acidic barbs cloaked by a friendly hand on the shoulder.
—Abby Monteil, Them., 28 Oct. 2025
The move comes as the federal government shutdown drags on into its fourth week with no end in sight, and Democrats and Republicans trading barbs and blame.
—Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 28 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for barbs
insults
Noun
-
On screen, Lawrence and Pattinson hurl nonstop insults at each other in loud bursts of verbal warfare, a striking contrast to the duo’s quieter working relationship.—
Antonio Ferme,
Variety,
2 Nov. 2025
-
The race has been no short of dogged, as insults between the candidates on the debate stage have led to archives investigations and defamation lawsuit threats.—
Molly Parks,
The Washington Examiner,
30 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Barbs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/barbs. Accessed 16 Nov. 2025.
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