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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Lorincz, who is white, hated loud noise, and called police and first responders multiple times over the years claiming the children were trespassing, bothersome, threatening, and a nuisance.—
CT Jones,
Rolling Stone,
17 Oct. 2025
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Establishing a track record of violations could potentially help the city in future civil suits brought against the Eco Motel, or any other property considered a nuisance.—
Matthew Adams,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
17 Oct. 2025
Noun
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In addition, pests like those obnoxious mosquitoes will have longer active seasons prior to the beginning of the first freeze.—
Janet Loehrke,
USA Today,
22 Oct. 2025
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Grass growing up against tree trunks also potentially attracts pests like voles that may nibble on the apple tree bark.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
22 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The Democratic National Committee congratulated Mamdani on his win but is hardly sending resources to a race that has drawn annoyance from the typical raft of consultants still trying to figure out what, exactly, the party can sell in the next cycle.—
Philip Elliott,
Time,
16 Oct. 2025
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Kate’s annoyance at her decoy agent having bird’s nest hair is a similarly dry delight.—
Sophie Brookover,
Vulture,
16 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Gadfly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gadfly. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.
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