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
Meenakshi Ahamed, the author of a forthcoming book on Indian Americans, notes that many prominent figures—Indra Nooyi, the former C.E.O. of PepsiCo; Vivek Ramaswamy, the conservative gadfly—have Brahman heritage.
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Evan Osnos, The New Yorker, 13 Oct. 2024
In Troy, a newcomer – an outspoken gadfly in city meetings – narrowly lost his bid for a City Council seat.
—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
See all Example Sentences for gadfly 
Evan Osnos, The New Yorker, 13 Oct. 2024
In Troy, a newcomer – an outspoken gadfly in city meetings – narrowly lost his bid for a City Council seat.
—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
See all Example Sentences for gadfly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gadfly
Noun
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The lawsuit, filed in September 2023 in Sacramento Superior Court, alleged the city was causing a public nuisance by allowing homeless camps on public property.Rosalio Ahumada, Sacramento Bee, 9 Jan. 2025
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Both appeals said the landfill is a nuisance to residents and contend the expansion needed the city's support to proceed under state law.Tom Sissom, arkansasonline.com, 8 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Look for spider mites, aphids, thrips, and other common pests.Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Jan. 2025
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Their thick veins and sturdy texture can trap soil and even tiny pests, making thorough cleaning a must.Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 29 Dec. 2024
Noun
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For some members of the international press though, excitement turned to annoyance when they were kept from interviewing such stars as Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt and George Clooney a year after the dual Hollywood strikes had left the Lido nearly celebrity-less.Georg Szalai, The Hollywood Reporter, 27 Dec. 2024
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And the big picture, the annoyance outweighs the risk.Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 8 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near gadfly
Cite this Entry
“Gadfly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gadfly. Accessed 18 Jan. 2025.
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