gnatcatcher

noun

gnat·​catch·​er ˈnat-ˌka-chər How to pronounce gnatcatcher (audio)
-ˌke-
: any of a genus (Polioptila) of several small North and South American insectivorous passerine birds

Examples of gnatcatcher in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Bonita Sweetwater Summit Regional Park This roughly 1-mile walk takes hikers alongside Morrison Pond, a small but scenic body of water in Bonita that’s home to waterfowl such as ruddy ducks and egrets, as well as other birds like the least bell’s vireo and coastal California gnatcatcher. Maura Fox, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Jan. 2026 The 208-acre Fairview Park is a biodiversity hotspot containing five habitat ecosystems with rare and endangered plants and animals, including the burrowing owl, Crotch’s bumble bee and coastal gnatcatcher. Claire Wang, Oc Register, 28 Nov. 2025 From a distance, they are easily confused with other gnatcatchers, vireos and kinglets. Michael Barnes, Austin American-Statesman, 7 Feb. 2024 See All Example Sentences for gnatcatcher

Word History

First Known Use

1839, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of gnatcatcher was in 1839

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Cite this Entry

“Gnatcatcher.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gnatcatcher. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.

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