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
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.
The inmates used blankets to protect themselves from the barbed wire on the fence. Alex Sundby, CBS News, 21 May 2025 The men brought blankets to protect themselves from barbed wire. Cindy Von Quednow, CNN Money, 20 May 2025 The inmates left the jail through a loading dock, scaled a wall, using blankets to protect themselves from barbed wire, and ran across Interstate 10. Michael Levenson, New York Times, 20 May 2025 The inmates then reportedly scaled and then hopped the jail's barbed wire fence and ran across the highway into a neighborhood before changing clothes. Peter D'abrosca, FOXNews.com, 19 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for barbed

Word History

First Known Use

1611, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of barbed was in 1611

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Cite this Entry

“Barbed.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/barbed. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.

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