barb

A short, deliberately hurtful comment about someone.

• Her barb hurt his feelings.
• The candidates exchanged barbs during the debate.
• He aimed another barb at his former boss.

Similar words: dig, insult, taunt

Common phrases: trade a barb, verbal barb, sharp barb

A sharp point facing backward on a hook or weapon that makes it hard to pull out.

• The hook has a sharp barb.
• A barb caught in his sleeve.
• Removing the barbs makes these hooks safer for fish.

Common phrases: hook barb, arrow barb, sharp barb

To put backward-facing sharp points on something so that it catches or hurts.

• They barb the hooks by hand.
• The maker barbed each arrow tip.
• Why would you barb this wire?

Common phrases: barb a hook, barb an arrow, barb the wire