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
In Troy, a newcomer – an outspoken gadfly in city meetings – narrowly lost his bid for a City Council seat.
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Bill Laytner, Detroit Free Press, 7 Aug. 2024
In this and other accounts of the conspiracy candidate and gadfly candidate, the picture that emerges is that of a consummate opportunist who wants to turn his Uncle Jack’s famous words on their head; what, RFK Jr. asks, can this country do for him?
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 6 Aug. 2024
Political tumult in Arizona opened a path for a perennial election gadfly with anti-government leanings to win the governor’s race in 1986.
—Amanda Luberto, The Arizona Republic, 24 July 2024
Nobody came forward to oppose her (except perhaps Sen. Joe Manchin, who isn’t even a Democrat, and gadfly Marianne Williamson).
—Dana Milbank, Washington Post, 22 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for gadfly 
Bill Laytner, Detroit Free Press, 7 Aug. 2024
In this and other accounts of the conspiracy candidate and gadfly candidate, the picture that emerges is that of a consummate opportunist who wants to turn his Uncle Jack’s famous words on their head; what, RFK Jr. asks, can this country do for him?
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 6 Aug. 2024
Political tumult in Arizona opened a path for a perennial election gadfly with anti-government leanings to win the governor’s race in 1986.
—Amanda Luberto, The Arizona Republic, 24 July 2024
Nobody came forward to oppose her (except perhaps Sen. Joe Manchin, who isn’t even a Democrat, and gadfly Marianne Williamson).
—Dana Milbank, Washington Post, 22 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for gadfly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gadfly
Noun
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The state public nuisance statute could come into play down the line.Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 24 Nov. 2024
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The agency also warned of minor nuisance flooding in those areas.Sierra Lopez, The Mercury News, 24 Nov. 2024
Noun
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These pests may then be brought back indoors on the plants in the fall, says Khan.Arricca Elin SanSone, Southern Living, 5 Dec. 2024
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Select trees and shrubs for their drought tolerance and pest resistance.Tom MacCubbin, Orlando Sentinel, 30 Nov. 2024
Noun
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Certain annoyances that seemed manageable a couple months ago could very well be snowballing now.Steph Koyfman, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Nov. 2024
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There are annoyances that are associated with activity.Caleb Harris, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near gadfly
Cite this Entry
“Gadfly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gadfly. Accessed 18 Dec. 2024.
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