gadfly
/ˈɡædˌflaɪ/
noun
- A person who annoys or criticizes others, especially by asking difficult questions or challenging authority, often to provoke change.
- The professor was a gadfly in the department, constantly challenging old ideas.
- In meetings, she acted as a gadfly, pushing the team to think more carefully.
- The journalist was known as a political gadfly, always questioning the mayor's decisions.
- A fly that bites livestock, such as a horsefly or botfly.
- Farmers use special sprays to protect their animals from gadflies.
- The horses were bothered by a swarm of gadflies in the pasture.
- A gadfly bite can be very painful for cattle.
Synonyms