barb
14
6.4
- noun
- /bɑrb/
- Offensive
:
puya
- The two sides regularly trade barbs online, and the study found little evidence of rapprochement.
- trade barbs
Like they'll get a little bit of a passive aggressive Barb in and it hurts.
- Like they'll get a little bit of a passive aggressive Barb in and it hurts.
- You continue to make barbs and self deprecating comments.
Examples
-
Such barbs are so pervasive in our society that adults may ignore them in the school setting.
Academic text (2002) -
We traded barbs, as in words - not actual weapons of any sort - as writers do to sell a few newspapers.
-
But his good wishes have a barb of criticism in their tail:
Academic text (1999) -
Even now, when I hardly see you anymore," she added, sticking in another barb.
Fiction book (1993) -
I'm sure you got some self-righteous barb you want to stick me with, so get it over with.
-
The fact that Ed could respond like this to Ding's barb gave us real hope that the real Ed was still there and was recovering.
-
I'm just returning some of the barbs you threw at me.
Blog text (8) -
A professor takes in his students' critiques, barbs and all, for insights on how to improve his teaching.
Academic text (2016) -
The pair may exchange an occasional verbal barb—especially well-crafted on Tanya's part—but they clearly enjoy each other's company.
Academic text (1991) -
During the debate, she threw a sharp barb at her opponent, criticizing his lack of experience.
Synonyms
175
5.9
A short angry remark meant to hurt or criticize someone
34
6.3
An insulting remark meant to hurt someone
33
8.1
A short sarcastic remark that criticizes someone
22
6.8
A strong comment that shows disapproval of someone's actions
7
7.5
A sharp remark that criticizes someone in a not direct way
7
5.2
An unfair comment that attacks someone who cannot defend themselves
6
7.9
An insulting remark meant to hurt someone
4
3.5
A rude remark that hurts or upsets someone
3
5.6
A remark said to insult someone and show you do not respect them
1
9.3
A sharp insulting remark about someone or their actions
1
3.2
A rude comment meant to hurt someone or show no respect
1
7.2
A harshly critical comment that aims to hurt or mock someone
1
6.3
A short sharp comment that sounds rude
1
7.4
A mean comment that aims to hurt someone
A very harsh and angry comment meant to hurt someone
A sharp remark that hurts or shocks people
A short sharp comment that criticizes someone in a hurtful or sarcastic way
A sharp, slightly bitter comment that can hurt feelings
A mean remark that hurts or criticizes someone
A remark that is harsh and meant to hurt someone's feelings
A rude remark that criticizes or insults someone
Antonyms
How Hurtful
Surface Forms
Etymology
Barb meaning a hurtful remark comes from the idea of a small sharp point, like an arrow's barb, that pricks and hurts. So a barb in speech is a quick, cutting comment that aims to wound.