as in insult
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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of barb
The Crocodile Hunter star died at age of 44 in 2006 when he was struck by a stingray barb off the coast of northern Australia.
—
Escher Walcott, People.com, 10 May 2025
For a long time, there was no hope of a reunion, and brothers Liam and Noel Gallagher traded vicious barbs in the press.
—Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 8 May 2025
On several occasions in 2023, Gelber temporarily recessed commission meetings as Rosen Gonzalez traded barbs with fellow officials.
—Aaron Leibowitz, Miami Herald, 30 Apr. 2025
Paxton, a figure in the Texas GOP’s rising far-right faction, has long traded barbs with Cornyn, representative of the state party’s old guard.
—Julia Manchester, The Hill, 12 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for barb
Escher Walcott, People.com, 10 May 2025
For a long time, there was no hope of a reunion, and brothers Liam and Noel Gallagher traded vicious barbs in the press.
—Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 8 May 2025
On several occasions in 2023, Gelber temporarily recessed commission meetings as Rosen Gonzalez traded barbs with fellow officials.
—Aaron Leibowitz, Miami Herald, 30 Apr. 2025
Paxton, a figure in the Texas GOP’s rising far-right faction, has long traded barbs with Cornyn, representative of the state party’s old guard.
—Julia Manchester, The Hill, 12 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for barb
Recent Examples of Synonyms for barb
Noun
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They were quickly showered with boos and insults, along with various food items and beverages, including my mother’s large Pepsi.—
Leonard Greene,
New York Daily News,
17 May 2025
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The statue was widely reviled by locals, who saw its abstract look as ugly and an insult to the first lady.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
16 May 2025
Noun
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There’s tenderness and frustration, playfulness and sarcasm; respect and fatigue.—
Yvonne Villarreal,
Los Angeles Times,
1 May 2025
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TikTok viewers chimed in with a mix of sarcasm, solidarity, and surprisingly creative suggestions.—
Arick Wierson,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Barb.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/barb. Accessed 3 Jun. 2025.
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