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
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Recent Examples of barbs
No barbs being thrown back and forth.
—
Dane Mizutani, Twin Cities, 19 Sep. 2025
But over the course of his exile, Ali’s barbs and stunts against Frazier grew into something more venomous.
—Vann R. Newkirk Ii, The Atlantic, 16 Sep. 2025
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts and Kansas City Chiefs defensive lineman Chris Jones were heard trading barbs toward the end of their game on Sunday evening.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 15 Sep. 2025
But the barbs are often partisan.
—Jonathan Lansner, Oc Register, 12 Sep. 2025
The barbs were frequently aimed at the gruff owner of Mel’s Diner played by the late Vic Tayback.
—Greg Evans, Deadline, 10 Sep. 2025
Democratic and Republican leaders have traded barbs over whom or what is to blame in this case — and for violence nationwide.
—Holly Yan, CNN Money, 10 Sep. 2025
Coel, the boundary-pushing revelation from I May Destroy You, is a perfect foil, hiding Lori’s feelings behind her deadpan delivery, unblinking sphinx-like stare and wary body language but poised to shoot barbs when the moment calls for them.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 9 Sep. 2025
In more recent years, fleeting trends and other fashion antics sometimes sidetracked Armani, especially on the runway, where aviator hats or tricky pants — from bloomers to loose, low-crotch styles — won him barbs from critics.
—Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 4 Sep. 2025
Dane Mizutani, Twin Cities, 19 Sep. 2025
But over the course of his exile, Ali’s barbs and stunts against Frazier grew into something more venomous.
—Vann R. Newkirk Ii, The Atlantic, 16 Sep. 2025
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts and Kansas City Chiefs defensive lineman Chris Jones were heard trading barbs toward the end of their game on Sunday evening.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 15 Sep. 2025
But the barbs are often partisan.
—Jonathan Lansner, Oc Register, 12 Sep. 2025
The barbs were frequently aimed at the gruff owner of Mel’s Diner played by the late Vic Tayback.
—Greg Evans, Deadline, 10 Sep. 2025
Democratic and Republican leaders have traded barbs over whom or what is to blame in this case — and for violence nationwide.
—Holly Yan, CNN Money, 10 Sep. 2025
Coel, the boundary-pushing revelation from I May Destroy You, is a perfect foil, hiding Lori’s feelings behind her deadpan delivery, unblinking sphinx-like stare and wary body language but poised to shoot barbs when the moment calls for them.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 9 Sep. 2025
In more recent years, fleeting trends and other fashion antics sometimes sidetracked Armani, especially on the runway, where aviator hats or tricky pants — from bloomers to loose, low-crotch styles — won him barbs from critics.
—Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 4 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for barbs
insults
Noun
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During the speech, however, Kemp periodically deviated from building up Astra to hurling insults at several of his competitors in the launch industry.—
Eric Berger,
ArsTechnica,
25 Sep. 2025
-
Kimmel has been a frequent target, with the two trading insults.—
Dominick Mastrangelo,
The Hill,
18 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Barbs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/barbs. Accessed 1 Oct. 2025.
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