Barbedness

Barbedness refers to the quality or state of being harsh, critical, or intentionally hurtful in speech or writing. It embodies a tendency to use sharp, pointed remarks that inflict emotional pain or offense. The intent is often to wound, belittle, or provoke a reaction from the recipient. It stems from a disposition towards sarcasm, cynicism, and a lack of empathy, resulting in communication that is intentionally designed to sting or cause discomfort.

Barbedness meaning with examples

• The politician's barbedness in the debate was evident as he relentlessly attacked his opponent's policies, using sarcastic quips and pointed accusations. The audience recoiled at his cutting remarks, as they served no purpose other than to belittle and wound his rival.
• Her barbedness during the family dinner created an awkward atmosphere. She repeatedly made cutting remarks about her sister's career choices, revealing a deep-seated jealousy and a desire to make her feel inadequate and second-rate.
• The reviewer's barbedness regarding the author's new novel was sharp, filled with disdain. His review, meant as constructive, focused on petty grammatical errors to undermine the overall impact and enjoyment of the work.
• Despite being offered a compromise, the manager met with barbedness when discussing the situation with the employees. She used accusatory language, focusing on their perceived failures rather than solutions, poisoning any chance of productive cooperation.