1
: having barbs
2
: characterized by pointed and biting criticism or sarcasm
barbed witticisms
Examples of barbed in a Sentence
The candidates exchanged barbed comments during the debate.
barbed satire on American academia
Recent Examples on the Web
The actress is clearly relishing the opportunity to deliver Aaron Sorkin’s barbed dialogue (though perhaps not as much as Philip Seymour Hoffman, who steals the show as an explosive CIA functionary).
—
Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 10 Oct. 2025
Watch this just for all the quick lands and barbed moments here alone.
—Andy Hoglund, Entertainment Weekly, 5 Oct. 2025
Meanwhile, a story from Indiana explains how one bird species skewers its prey on barbed wire, then returns for it later.
—Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 3 Oct. 2025
There are no spools of barbed wire atop its fences or looming guard towers to announce its purpose.
—Shirsho Dasgupta, Miami Herald, 26 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for barbed
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Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 10 Oct. 2025
Watch this just for all the quick lands and barbed moments here alone.
—Andy Hoglund, Entertainment Weekly, 5 Oct. 2025
Meanwhile, a story from Indiana explains how one bird species skewers its prey on barbed wire, then returns for it later.
—Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 3 Oct. 2025
There are no spools of barbed wire atop its fences or looming guard towers to announce its purpose.
—Shirsho Dasgupta, Miami Herald, 26 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for barbed
Cite this Entry
“Barbed.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/barbed. Accessed 19 Oct. 2025.
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