barbed

/bɑːrbd/
verb
  1. Past tense and past participle of barb: to provide with a barb or barbs.
    • The arrow was barbed to prevent it from being pulled out easily.
    • They barbed the wire to make the fence more secure.
    • The fisherman barbed the hook before casting his line.
adjective
  1. Having a sharp point or points that curve backward, like a fishhook or barbed wire.
    • The fence was topped with barbed spikes to keep intruders out.
    • The barbed hook caught on my sleeve.
    • Barbed arrows were used for hunting in ancient times.
  2. (of a remark or comment) Sarcastic, unkind, or intended to hurt someone's feelings.
    • His barbed wit often offended people at parties.
    • The critic's barbed review upset the young author.
    • She made a barbed comment about his cooking.
Antonyms