barbed

/bɑːbd/ (bre, ipa) · /bɑːrbd/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈbärbd/ (ame, mw)

barbed — 形容詞

  • barbedpositive
  • barbedercomparative
  • barbedestsuperlative

1. Describes an object, such as a hook, wire or animal quill, that has small sharp

1.形容詞B2
釋義

有倒刺的

指物品有向後彎曲的尖刺

Describes an object, such as a hook, wire or animal quill, that has small sharp points facing backward so it can catch, grip or wound.

例句

The farmer replaced the old fence with a roll of barbed wire to keep the cattle inside the field.

農夫換掉舊圍籬，裝了一捲有倒刺的鐵絲網，好讓牛群待在牧場裡。

barbed wire — common compound noun for fencing with sharp points

Mei cut her finger on the barbed hook of the fishing lure while sorting her tackle box.

Mei 在整理釣具箱時，被魚鉤上的倒刺劃傷了手指。

同義詞
  • spiked

    general term for anything with points; does not imply backward curve

  • hooked

    emphasises the curved shape rather than the sharp point

  • prickly

    softer; describes a surface covered with small sharp points, not necessarily backward-facing

反義詞
  • smooth

    without any points or raised edges

  • blunt

    not sharp; cannot cut or pierce

文法句型

barbed + [noun] (wire, hook, quill, arrowhead)

用法筆記

Primarily used attributively in compound nouns such as barbed wire, barbed hook, and barbed arrow. In biology, barbed also describes animal parts (porcupine quills, cat tongues) where points face backward.

2. Describes spoken or written language — such as a remark, comment, or question —

2.形容詞B2
釋義

尖刻的

言語尖酸、刻意傷人的

Describes spoken or written language — such as a remark, comment, or question — that is deliberately sharp and hurtful, often in an indirect or clever way.

例句

Fatima made a barbed comment about Daniel's cooking, and everyone at the table grew quiet.

Fatima 對 Daniel 手藝說了一句尖刻的話，餐桌上的每個人都安靜了下來。

barbed comment — common collocation for deliberately hurtful speech

During the debate, Senator Rivera directed several barbed remarks at her opponent's voting record.

在辯論會上，Rivera 參議員對對手的投票紀錄提出了好幾次尖刻的批評。

同義詞
  • cutting

    more personal and emotionally wounding; often about someone's character

  • biting

    stronger and more openly hostile; less subtle

  • caustic

    formal register; suggests a corrosive, sarcastic quality

  • sharp

    broader; can be neutral (intellectually pointed) or negative (hurtful)

反義詞
  • kind

    showing warmth and consideration

  • gentle

    mild and soft in expression, not hurtful

  • complimentary

    expressing praise or admiration

文法句型

barbed + [noun] (remark, comment, criticism, question, wit)

用法筆記

Almost always describes spoken or written language (remark, comment, criticism) rather than a person's character or tone of voice. Compare with cutting (more personal, aimed at someone's feelings) and biting (more openly hostile). Distinguish from sense 1, which refers to physical sharp points.

常見錯誤

❌Her sharp question was quite barbed but she meant well.
✅Her question was sharp but she meant well.' or 'Her barbed question was meant to hurt.
💡'barbed' always implies deliberate hurtfulness; it cannot carry a neutral or positive intention.