barbs

plural of barb

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 The latest barbs come after China announced further rare earth export restrictions last week in a move that triggered a familiar cycle of alarm in Washington. Lizzi C. Lee, Time, 17 Oct. 2025 Tensions between Beijing and Washington have flared again in recent days as both sides traded barbs and ramped up respective restrictions, threatening to erode progress made after several rounds of bilateral trade talks this year. Anniek Bao,evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 13 Oct. 2025 On Wednesday, Jeffries and Lawler traded pointed barbs in the halls of the Capitol when Lawler confronted Jeffries on his objection to a short-term extension of Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies. Tara Suter, The Hill, 9 Oct. 2025 The government shutdown has shown little sign of resolution as many lawmakers exchange barbs and dig into their positions. Max Zahn, ABC News, 9 Oct. 2025 After exchanging very sharp barbs in the press, Osbourne and Ward didn’t communicate for a full decade. Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 7 Oct. 2025 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 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for barbs
insults
Noun
  • The insults came after Duffy made a series of public appearances to proclaim NASA's intention of reopening a contract with SpaceX for a moon lander for its upcoming Artemis III mission.
    Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 22 Oct. 2025
  • Carter was sitting in her chair, listening to a lesson, when Octavius Johnson, a classmate who had a crush on her, started to fire off insults.
    Jeff Pearlman, Rolling Stone, 17 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Barbs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/barbs. Accessed 26 Oct. 2025.

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