barbs
Hooks have them
Barbs are the sharp backward-pointing projections on fishhooks, arrows, or barbed wire that make removal difficult.
The word extends to pointed, cutting remarks: She couldn't resist a few barbs about his cooking.
A barb is also one of the filaments branching from a feather's shaft.
To barb is to furnish with barbs or to make remarks that sting.
Hollow defensive animal spikes
- spinesStiff, pointed projections
- thornsSharp plant projections
- pricklesSmall sharp plant projections
- bristlesCoarse animal hairs
points · prongs · projections · stingers · spurs · hooks · arrowheads · cactus spines
Quick, straight punches
- digsInformal term for home
- jibesFits or agrees
- tauntsMocking, provoking remarks
- snipesAttacks from cover
putdowns · cutting remarks · zingers · needling · stings · slights · affronts · gibes
quills
Hollow defensive animal spikes
bristles · points · prongs · projections · stingers · spurs · hooks · arrowheads · cactus spines · porcupine
jabs
Quick, straight punches
snipes · putdowns · cutting remarks · zingers · needling · stings · slights · affronts · gibes · verbal jabs
quips
Brief witty remarks
banter · zingers · wisecracks · bon mots · repartee · wordplay · irony · sharp wit · cutting wit · Dorothy Parker
hooks
Curved catching devices
lure · bait · snag · fly-fishing · catch · setline · trotline · gaff
- animal defensespoison, venom, toxin, toxins, horns
- jokesjokes, joke, puns, one-liners, pun
- sharp pointsneedles, point, pins, tip, spikes
- plant defensesthorns, spines, trichomes, toxins, latex
- seed dispersaldispersal, seed dispersal, burrs, samara, tumbleweeds
- spearfishingspearfishing, speargun, harpoon, spear tip, spear tips
barbscompliments
Expressions of admiration
praise · flattery · kind words · accolades · sweet nothings
- barbed wireSpiked metal fence material
- barbed wire fence
- barb wireSpiked metal fencing material
- behind barbed wire
- trading barbs
- barbed wire bat