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

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

"If you step on one of them and they catch you with the barb, that's pretty much evacuation," he said.

From BBC • Oct. 11, 2024

Or being able to get up and take a break without facing a barb from someone onstage — “that’s what my brother would have needed to stay through the whole show,” she said.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 22, 2024

His answer came as a squirrel plucked another barb from the porcupine’s back and held it like a javelin, poised to spear through Clare’s undead heart.

From "The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest" by Aubrey Hartman