WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
barbed /bɑrbd/USA pronunciation
adj.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- Biologyhaving a barb or barbs.
- intended to be unpleasant and unkind;
cutting.
barbed
(bärbd),USA pronunciation adj.
- Biologyhaving barbs.
- calculated to wound;
cutting:a professor noted for his barbed criticisms.
- barb1 + -ed3 1520–30
'barbed' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):
Bangalore torpedo
- Spanish needles
- abatis
- angon
- barb
- barbed tape
- barbed tributary
- barbed wire
- barbwire
- beggar-ticks
- bob wire
- box nail
- cheval-de-frise
- concertina wire
- feather
- fishgig
- fluke
- fork
- glochid
- gorge hook
- grains
- harpoon
- hedgehog
- kiwi
- knife rest
- lacerate
- penetrant
- punch spoon
- roadblock
- rose
- scorpion
- shaft
- shrike
- spear gun
- sticktight
- tart
- tick
- wire
- wire entanglement
- wyvern