as in nuisances
one who is obnoxiously annoying
the journalist was known as a gadfly for exposing hypocrisy in politics
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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
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
-
Besides being nuisances, many types carry diseases including West Nile virus, encephalitis, and canine heartworm.
-
If the nuisances continue at Albany Care, the city is seeking a court order to shut the facility down, separate from the state action.
Noun
-
Sterile insect technique has been used for years to decrease and control pests.
-
Keeping bug spray handy can help protect against annoying bites, while placing citronella candles around your yard or patio can keep pests at bay, especially once the sun sets.
Noun
-
Crying children are consistently ranked among travelers' top in-flight annoyances, which means the pressure on parents and guardians to keep little ones calm is at an all-time high at 30,000 feet.
-
From everyday disruptions to other inconveniences and (perhaps) annoyances, things pop up.
Cite this Entry
“Gadflies.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gadflies. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
