GADFLY Synonyms: 31 Similar and Opposite Words

gadfly

noun

ˈgad-ˌflī

Definition of gadfly

as in nuisance

one who is obnoxiously annoying the journalist was known as a gadfly for exposing hypocrisy in politics

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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 gadfly 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 The truth teller/journalist/gadfly/detective set out to uncover the truth about the death of a member of a powerful Tulsa political family but must acknowledge how much harm his investigation has caused. — Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 5 Nov. 2025 Among those present at the annual David Horowitz Freedom Center retreat in 2017 was a young Candace Owens, then striving to make her mark as a black conservative gadfly on social media. — Andrew Cockburn, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025 But the May 5 Democratic primary election, which pits a progressive newcomer and a longtime political gadfly against an incumbent with strong ties to Indy Democrats, could act as a proxy for voters' feelings about the party establishment. — Jordan Smith, IndyStar, 26 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for gadfly

Recent Examples of Synonyms for gadfly

Noun

And to add insult to social and cultural injury, the new policies also present a logistical nuisance.

— Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 30 June 2026
In New York, night clubs were sometimes regarded as a civic nuisance; one obstacle was the city’s cabaret law, from 1926, which required bars to obtain a special permit if patrons were dancing and was not fully repealed until 2017.

— Kelefa Sanneh, New Yorker, 29 June 2026

Definition of nuisance

Noun

For players and coaches, the break in play might feel like an annoyance when the temperatures do not seem to demand extra hydration, but what are the physical implications of stopping midway through each half?

— Sarah Shephard, New York Times, 5 July 2026
Everyday annoyances add up fast, but fixing them doesn’t have to break the bank.

— Better Homes & Gardens, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 July 2026

Definition of annoyance

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gadflies

gadfly

gadget

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“Gadfly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gadfly. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of gadfly

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