GADFLIES Synonyms: 30 Similar and Opposite Words

gadflies

noun

plural of gadfly

as in nuisances

one who is obnoxiously annoying the journalist was known as a gadfly for exposing hypocrisy in politics

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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.

Recent Examples of gadflies In podcasting, for example, so many writers or social media gadflies publish the Best Of List as a recycled version of the Top Ten podcasts ranked by downloads. — Frank Racioppi, Forbes.com, 18 May 2026 Their false claims about getting financially fleeced by Uncle Sam were fueled by a rather sophisticated, albeit deceitful and shameful lobbying campaign, sponsored by greedy gadflies out to make a quick buck. — Tom Margenau, Dallas Morning News, 1 Feb. 2026 Renewable energy advocates treat activists like Gilbert as relentless gadflies who need to be stopped for the good of the planet. — Tony Schick, ProPublica, 14 Aug. 2025 Doubling as an account of modern American conservatism (from media gadflies to six Supreme Court justices), the film is punctuated with contemporaneous footage that, viewed through the lens of Olin’s misdeeds, generates the tension and shock of a genre film. — Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 7 Aug. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for gadflies

Noun

The petition sought to classify data centers as industrial nuisances, arguing that a ban would protect residents’ property and preserve city resources, such as water and electricity.

— Cuyler Dunn, Kansas City Star, 4 Sep. 2026
The number of bears killed by motor vehicle strikes, euthanized as nuisances because of conflicts with humans or poached in the Central Florida region over the past decade total about 1,900.

— Stephen Hudak, The Orlando Sentinel, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of nuisances

Noun

Removing the overwintering adults from your garden should reduce the pests significantly.

— Tim Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 20 Sep. 2026
Maintaining a lush, healthy lawn takes year-round diligence to keep soil healthy and weeds, pests, and diseases at bay.

— Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 19 Sep. 2026

Definition of pests

Noun

People are exhausted by subscriptions, signing up for apps, logins, passwords, and other first-world annoyances that are now common in the search to watch a game on TV.

— Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 Sep. 2026
Add in a few other clever accessories, and suddenly the small annoyances of traveling feel a lot more manageable.

— Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of annoyances

Browse Nearby Words

gadding (about)

gadflies

gadfly

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“Gadflies.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gadflies. Accessed 27 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of gadflies

noun

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