barb

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

One of Askell’s most striking traits is her protectiveness over Claude, which she believes is learning that users often want to trick it into making mistakes, insult it and barb it with skepticism.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 9, 2026

The next day, when other wedding guests asked Louise what she did for a living, Clifford would interject with the barb that "one thing she doesn't do is know how to work an oven properly".

From BBC • Jun. 26, 2025

Reba’s dig at Stracke’s son was the sort of casual, unthinking barb that plenty of Southern mothers have perfected, tossed into a group conversation as nonchalantly as a request for sweet tea.

From Salon • Mar. 5, 2025

Perry was a sarcasm ninja, honoring both the barb and the inevitable insecurity that launched it.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 29, 2023

“This is not a question for the microscope,” one of his protégés wrote—a sly barb directed at Bateson, Morgan, and de Vries.

From "The Gene" by Siddhartha Mukherjee