as in nuisance
one who is obnoxiously annoying
the journalist was known as a gadfly for exposing hypocrisy in politics
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Recent Examples of gadfly
Meanwhile the city’s Republican Party, a diminished institution whose line Mike Bloomberg rented, allowed the gadfly Curtis Sliwa to take its nomination unopposed.
—
Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 25 June 2025
Taylor was the alternative-rock gadfly of that scene in that era, whereas Taff was known for a more earnest approach, coming out of the vocal group the Imperials into solo stardom, and highly regarded then and since for his belting abilities.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 14 June 2025
Malema, a notorious gadfly and former leader of the youth wing of the African National Congress, was long ago expelled amid a storm of fights with the party’s leaders.
—Lydia Polgreen, Mercury News, 27 May 2025
Political tumult in Arizona opened a path for a perennial election gadfly with anti-government leanings to win the governor’s race.
—The Arizona Republic, 22 July 2024
See All Example Sentences for gadfly
Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 25 June 2025
Taylor was the alternative-rock gadfly of that scene in that era, whereas Taff was known for a more earnest approach, coming out of the vocal group the Imperials into solo stardom, and highly regarded then and since for his belting abilities.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 14 June 2025
Malema, a notorious gadfly and former leader of the youth wing of the African National Congress, was long ago expelled amid a storm of fights with the party’s leaders.
—Lydia Polgreen, Mercury News, 27 May 2025
Political tumult in Arizona opened a path for a perennial election gadfly with anti-government leanings to win the governor’s race.
—The Arizona Republic, 22 July 2024
See All Example Sentences for gadfly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gadfly
Noun
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Situations like this are certainly a nuisance, but the quickest way to cause animosity with your neighbors is to come between them and their sleep.—
Libby Monteith Minor,
Southern Living,
4 Oct. 2025
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While many consider the mammal a nuisance for raiding garbage cans and damaging property, raccoons can also carry diseases, and they probably shouldn't be kept as housepets.—
Marina Johnson,
Louisville Courier Journal,
3 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Insect pests of camellias include tea scales and aphids, both of which produce a waste product called honeydew that encourages sooty mold on the foliage.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
1 Oct. 2025
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And then defensively, just try to be pests, try to create turnovers, which kind of helps our offense.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
29 Sep. 2025
Noun
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As the seasons go on, Barbra charms her way from Reba's biggest annoyance to being her best friend.—
Eric King,
Entertainment Weekly,
5 Oct. 2025
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There’s a general mood of annoyance, more so with the police and the stewards rather than the defeat itself.—
James Pearce,
New York Times,
2 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Gadfly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gadfly. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.
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