Synonyms of barbs

barbs

noun

plural of barb

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

• insults
• sarcasms
• outrages
• indignities
• epithets
• darts
• slights
• brickbats
• slurs
• pokes
• attacks
• affronts
• slaps
• personalities
• names
• digs
• offenses
• put-downs
• taunts
• gibes
• girds
• criticisms
• cuts
• dises
• invectives
• jeers
• sneers
• disgraces
• quips
• vituperations
• catcalls
• abuses
• mocks
• swipes
• shames
• disapprovals
• tortures
• torments
• knocks
• opprobriums
• slams
• dishonors

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• compliments
• commendations
• accolades
• praises
• acclaim
• flatteries
• applauses
• adulations

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of barbs

The debate, which drew around 200 people to Grace Place in Berthoud, was largely made up of attacks — with Rutinel, a Democrat, and Evans, a Republican, trading barbs and accusations during the hourlong affair. — John Aguilar, Denver Post, 7 Oct. 2026

Her barbs are sharp enough to bring even Regina George to tears. — Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 29 Sep. 2026

But while politicians trade barbs, residents in Rio de Janeiro have been designing their own responses, with ex-traffickers launching podcasts and grieving mothers stepping up to stop youth recruitment. — ABC News, 27 Sep. 2026

But the teenage barbs didn’t only apply to Affleck’s romantic life. — Rachel McRady, PEOPLE, 25 Sep. 2026

If the tuft is real feathers, with barbs around a shaft, Gonzo sits on the lineage that produced theropod dinosaurs—two-legged carnivores like Tyrannosaurus—and eventually birds. — Niranjana Rajalakshmi, Popular Science, 24 Sep. 2026

The barbs in this race have become deeply personal, with anti-Muslim rhetoric taking center stage. — Christopher Buchanan, Los Angeles Times, 21 Sep. 2026

Plastic and silicone snakes often have barbs along the shaft. — Bestreviews, Mercury News, 17 Sep. 2026

The sheriff’s office said its investigation is ongoing, as the case draws national attention and political barbs. — Alisha Ebrahimji, CNN Money, 14 Sep. 2026