Barb (Noun)
Meaning 1
A subsidiary point facing opposite from the main point that makes an arrowhead or spear hard to remove.
Classification
Nouns denoting man-made objects.
Meaning 2
An aggressive remark directed at a person like a missile and intended to have a telling effect; "his parting shot was `drop dead'"; "she threw shafts of sarcasm"; "she takes a dig at me every chance she gets".
Classification
Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents.
Examples
- The comedian used a sharp barb to poke fun at the politician's latest blunder during the roast.
- Her sharp barb about his fashion sense left him visibly embarrassed.
- The satirical writer's essays were full of clever barbs aimed at the country's elite.
- His retort was a barb that left her speechless and angry.
- The interviewer threw a sly barb at the actor about his personal life.
Synonyms
Hypernyms
Hyponyms
Meaning 3
The pointed part of barbed wire.
Classification
Nouns denoting man-made objects.
Examples
- The farmer made sure to wear gloves while handling the roll of barbed wire, careful to avoid getting caught on a barb.
- The warning signs along the fence warned of the sharp barb that could cause lacerations to anyone trying to climb over.
- As she tried to cut her way through the overgrown vegetation, her clothing got caught on a rusty old barb left behind from the long-abandoned farm.
- The park ranger carefully removed the barb lodged in the bird's leg, making sure not to cause any further injury.
- In an effort to secure the prison perimeter, the authorities chose to top the wall with wire featuring large, menacing barbs.
Related Words
Meaning 4
One of the parallel filaments projecting from the main shaft of a feather.
Classification
Nouns denoting animals.