1
: having barbs
2
: characterized by pointed and biting criticism or sarcasm
barbed witticisms
Synonyms
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 short clip shows an adult skunk gnawing on the hind leg of a fawn that’s tucked into short cover just behind a barbed wire fence.
—
Natalie Krebs, Outdoor Life, 23 May 2024
The barbed seeds are designed to burrow into the ground for propagation but can inadvertently attach to a passing animal, including dogs.
—Lisa Bloch, The Mercury News, 21 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for barbed 
Natalie Krebs, Outdoor Life, 23 May 2024
The barbed seeds are designed to burrow into the ground for propagation but can inadvertently attach to a passing animal, including dogs.
—Lisa Bloch, The Mercury News, 21 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for barbed
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'barbed.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near barbed
Cite this Entry
“Barbed.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/barbed. Accessed 29 May. 2024.
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