razor wire

American  

noun

1. concertina wire.

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razor wire British  

noun

1. strong wire with pieces of sharp metal set across it at close intervals, used to make fences or barriers

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Compare meaning

How does razor-wire compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• razor wire vs. barbed wire

Example Sentences

Both are protected by miles of deep anti-tank ditches filled with razor wire and concrete anti-tank obstacles known as "dragon's teeth".

From BBC • Feb. 24, 2026

Long ditches lined with coils of razor wire and concrete pyramids known as dragon’s teeth await Russia’s increasingly rare armored attacks.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 9, 2026

Once a symbol of cooperation, the 'Friendship Bridge' connecting the two snow-covered banks has been reinforced with rows of razor wire and anti-tank obstacles.

From Barron's • Feb. 6, 2026

The razor wire is part of the approach.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 1, 2026

The Walton County jail was a dull structure surrounded by a tangle of razor wire that ran along a chain-link fence and glistened in the sunlight.

From "Outcasts United: An American Town, a Refugee Team, and One Woman's Quest to Make a Difference" by Warren St. John