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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Recent Examples of barb
The barbs between both sides have already started, with longtime South Florida sports reporter Ethan Skolnick dropping the following report following Butler's declaration.
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Dj Siddiqi, Forbes, 3 Jan. 2025
Tyson and Paul repeatedly traded barbs and insults to each other leading up to the Nov. 15 boxing match, which was delayed by four months after the legendary former heavyweight champion was diagnosed with an ulcer flare-up.
—Danielle Jennings, People.com, 21 Jan. 2025
This has led Republicans to warn the nominees against falling hook, line and sinker for the barbs.
—Al Weaver, The Hill, 12 Jan. 2025
When calamities happen, the person at top — whether mayor, governor or president — usually gets the first barbs thrown at them, fairly or not.
—Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for barb 
Dj Siddiqi, Forbes, 3 Jan. 2025
Tyson and Paul repeatedly traded barbs and insults to each other leading up to the Nov. 15 boxing match, which was delayed by four months after the legendary former heavyweight champion was diagnosed with an ulcer flare-up.
—Danielle Jennings, People.com, 21 Jan. 2025
This has led Republicans to warn the nominees against falling hook, line and sinker for the barbs.
—Al Weaver, The Hill, 12 Jan. 2025
When calamities happen, the person at top — whether mayor, governor or president — usually gets the first barbs thrown at them, fairly or not.
—Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for barb
Thesaurus Entries Near barb
Cite this Entry
“Barb.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/barb. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
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