adj
barbed
bahbd
adj
1
Fitted with sharp backward-pointing points, like on a fish hook or barbed wire.
"The fence was topped with barbed wire to keep intruders out."
2
Deliberately hurtful or sharply critical, especially in speech.
"She made a barbed comment about his cooking that left the table silent."
How to Use Barbed
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishLiterally covered in sharp points (like barbed wire); figuratively, a remark meant to sting.
Common pairings
barbed wire
barbed comment
barbed remark
Word Forms
more barbed comparative, most barbed superlative
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The fence was topped with _____ wire to keep intruders out.