flypaper

noun fly·pa·per \ ˈflī-ˌpā-pər \

Definition of flypaper

:paper coated with a sticky often poisonous substance for killing flies

See flypaper defined for English-language learners

Recent Examples of flypaper from the Web

Using a pneumatic control system, an operator can make the bot turn corners and even squeeze itself through a narrow crack between two pieces of sticky flypaper.

— annalee newitz, Ars Technica, "Meet your new fungible, phallic robot friend," 20 July 2017
If a bat comes in contact with flypaper, its fur and wings can be torn, causing a tremendous amount of pain.

— joy johnston, ajc, "Bat rescuers warn people to stop using flypaper," 29 June 2017
Sachiko Boland, who runs Colorado Bat Rescue, told Denver 7 that flypaper can be a bat's worst enemy.

— joy johnston, ajc, "Bat rescuers warn people to stop using flypaper," 29 June 2017
Basically, thirsty beasts would wade in, get stuck flypaper style, start bleating in dismay, and then gangs of local carnivores would rush over to rend them, and the entire rugby scrim would get stuck and die in the sun.

— wired staff, WIRED, "Spent the Weekend at the Tar Pit," 5 July 2005

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'flypaper.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.