barbed
12 synonyms for barbed, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Fitted with sharp backward-pointing points, like on a fish hook or barbed wire.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use barbed
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
barbed wire
barbed comment
barbed remark
Frequently asked questions
What does “barbed” mean?
The word “barbed” means fitted with sharp backward-pointing points, like on a fish hook or barbed wire. In plain terms, literally covered in sharp points (like barbed wire); figuratively, a remark meant to sting.
How do you pronounce “barbed”?
“Barbed” is pronounced bahbd (/bɑː(ɹ)bd/ in IPA).
How do you use “barbed” in a sentence?
Here is “barbed” used in a sentence: “The fence was topped with barbed wire to keep intruders out.”
What part of speech is “barbed”?
“Barbed” is an adjective.
Is “barbed” a common word?
“Barbed” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “barbed” have?
“Barbed” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: fitted with sharp backward-pointing points, like on a fish hook or barbed wire.
