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
At my own family gatherings, people might opine about their own bodies or occasionally aim a barb about how a cousin or I have lost or gained weight.
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Ella Cerón, Allure, 6 Dec. 2024
Shakur Stevenson and Floyd Schofield traded barbs on social media through the Thanksgiving weekend.
—Brian Mazique, Forbes, 2 Dec. 2024
The core cast gathers around the table to trade barbs over a Thanksgiving meal gone wrong and offers viewers a look at a family of friends together for the holiday.
—Allison Sadlier, EW.com, 26 Nov. 2024
In New York, we get bombarded with barbs by local pols.
—Vinson Cunningham, The New Yorker, 1 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for barb 
Ella Cerón, Allure, 6 Dec. 2024
Shakur Stevenson and Floyd Schofield traded barbs on social media through the Thanksgiving weekend.
—Brian Mazique, Forbes, 2 Dec. 2024
The core cast gathers around the table to trade barbs over a Thanksgiving meal gone wrong and offers viewers a look at a family of friends together for the holiday.
—Allison Sadlier, EW.com, 26 Nov. 2024
In New York, we get bombarded with barbs by local pols.
—Vinson Cunningham, The New Yorker, 1 Nov. 2024
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 31 Dec. 2024.
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