Synonyms of gadflies

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• nuisances
• pests
• annoyances
• annoyers
• pains
• persecutors
• teases
• bothers
• headaches
• nudniks
• teasers
• pains in the neck
• gnawers
• hecklers
• interrupters
• plagues
• tormentors
• harassers
• harriers
• torturers
• molesters
• hassles

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• charmers
• smoothies
• comforters
• soothers
• solacers

Example Sentences

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