as in nuisance
one who is obnoxiously annoying
the journalist was known as a gadfly for exposing hypocrisy in politics
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of gadfly
Keith Turner, along with political gadfly Margaret Carrasco, filed objections to her candidacy petitions last month.
—
Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 22 Jan. 2025
When Zeus took a liking to princess Io, Hera turned her into a heifer, then sent a gadfly – like a horse fly – to sting her constantly.
—Cody Cottier, Discover Magazine, 20 Jan. 2025
Also trailing on the ballot were Jack Potter and political gadfly Margaret Carrasco.
—Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 5 Mar. 2025
Sliwa is many things: a seventy-year-old gadfly, a blowhard of the old school, and a New Yorker’s New Yorker.
—Kent Russell, Harper's Magazine, 28 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gadfly
Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 22 Jan. 2025
When Zeus took a liking to princess Io, Hera turned her into a heifer, then sent a gadfly – like a horse fly – to sting her constantly.
—Cody Cottier, Discover Magazine, 20 Jan. 2025
Also trailing on the ballot were Jack Potter and political gadfly Margaret Carrasco.
—Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 5 Mar. 2025
Sliwa is many things: a seventy-year-old gadfly, a blowhard of the old school, and a New Yorker’s New Yorker.
—Kent Russell, Harper's Magazine, 28 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gadfly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gadfly
Noun
-
On April 30th, 2022, a security guard at a local business plaza called the police to report Mary as a nuisance.—
Sarah Stillman,
New Yorker,
14 Apr. 2025
-
Protester Trenton Oldfield swam in front of both boats and was jailed for six months for causing a public nuisance.—
Tim Spiers,
New York Times,
12 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Rosin produced with outdoor flower is more susceptible to microbial contamination and pest infestation, requiring more pesticide treatments and potentially remediation.—
David Goldburg,
Hartford Courant,
21 Apr. 2025
-
Using other plants to minimize unwanted insects is a natural way for pest control.—
Lauren David,
Southern Living,
20 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Competitive gamers seeking fast, lag-free performance without the annoyance of wires won't find much better than the ultra-lightweight Razer Viper Ultimate.—
Cierra Cowan,
PC Magazine,
16 Apr. 2025
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And inadequate feedback can cause annoyance at best, and injury at worst.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
16 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Gadfly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gadfly. Accessed 4 May. 2025.
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