A barbed tape is formed from an elongate strip having laterally spaced first side and second sides. A series of sharpened barb clusters project from at least one side, and preferably both sides, of the strip. The area of the strip between each adjacent pair of barb clusters is characterized by a plurality of transverse corrugations formed adjacent the first side of the strip, and preferably extending about to the strip centerline. A continuous longitudinally extended strengthening rib may be formed on the uncorrugated second side of the strip.