noun
- flies that bite or annoy livestock and other animals
- people who persistently annoy or provoke others, especially by criticism
Usage: figurative
Examples
- The horses were constantly bothered by gadflies during the hot summer months.
- Farmers use special sprays to protect their cattle from gadflies.
- The political gadflies at the town hall meeting asked tough questions.
- She was known as one of the gadflies of the academic community.
- The gadflies in the press kept challenging the mayor’s policies.
- These persistent gadflies won’t let the issue rest.