1
as in protruding
to extend outward beyond a usual point
no feet sticking out in the aisles, please
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in handling
to put up with (something painful or difficult)
managed to stick out the whole race despite her bad knee
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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 sticking out
Bonded to it are two hydrogen atoms, and sticking out like extra limbs are two pairs of leftover free electrons.
—
Shalma Wegsman, Quanta Magazine, 27 Apr. 2026
The knife sticking out of him has Siri’s DNA on it.
—Sandra Dallas, Denver Post, 19 Apr. 2026
That's Hersh with a bone sticking out of his left forearm, being forced into a pickup truck.
—Anderson Cooper, CBS News, 19 Apr. 2026
Neither the HushJet Mini Cool nor the ChillPill is small enough to fit into a pocket without sticking out, but both would be unobtrusive in a bag of nearly any size.
—Andrew Gebhart, PC Magazine, 18 Apr. 2026
Subtlety never stood a chance, with Cardi leaning fully into the chaos all night — chopping the air with her arms, sticking out her tongue, whipping her head, contorting her body, dropping into splits and backbends without warning.
—Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 13 Apr. 2026
Authorities were alerted after witnesses spotted small fingers sticking out of the trailer's back door.
—Derek Lawrence, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Apr. 2026
This is small, beaver-dam-laden water with a sandy composition, and a few years ago, Kozminski caught a glimpse of something irregular sticking out of the sand.
—Joe Cermele, Outdoor Life, 2 Apr. 2026
On June 17, 2022, 23 years after Kinney disappeared, a family searching for seashells found a long bone sticking out of the sand on Salmon Creek Beach.
—Saleen Martin, USA Today, 31 Mar. 2026
Shalma Wegsman, Quanta Magazine, 27 Apr. 2026
The knife sticking out of him has Siri’s DNA on it.
—Sandra Dallas, Denver Post, 19 Apr. 2026
That's Hersh with a bone sticking out of his left forearm, being forced into a pickup truck.
—Anderson Cooper, CBS News, 19 Apr. 2026
Neither the HushJet Mini Cool nor the ChillPill is small enough to fit into a pocket without sticking out, but both would be unobtrusive in a bag of nearly any size.
—Andrew Gebhart, PC Magazine, 18 Apr. 2026
Subtlety never stood a chance, with Cardi leaning fully into the chaos all night — chopping the air with her arms, sticking out her tongue, whipping her head, contorting her body, dropping into splits and backbends without warning.
—Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 13 Apr. 2026
Authorities were alerted after witnesses spotted small fingers sticking out of the trailer's back door.
—Derek Lawrence, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Apr. 2026
This is small, beaver-dam-laden water with a sandy composition, and a few years ago, Kozminski caught a glimpse of something irregular sticking out of the sand.
—Joe Cermele, Outdoor Life, 2 Apr. 2026
On June 17, 2022, 23 years after Kinney disappeared, a family searching for seashells found a long bone sticking out of the sand on Salmon Creek Beach.
—Saleen Martin, USA Today, 31 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sticking out
Verb
-
According to court documents cited by Cleveland television station WJW, witnesses told investigators that Bryant was seen walking toward the Costco entrance with what appeared to be a drum magazine protruding from his pocket.—
Taylor Ardrey,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Hemorrhoids are common and treatable, but bleeding, severe pain, lingering symptoms, or protruding hemorrhoids should be checked by a doctor.—
Tom Gavin,
EverydayHealth.com,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Rai Cinema International Distribution, which is handling world sales, will unveil first footage in Cannes, with the production slated for completion in the fourth quarter of the year.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Endorphins and serotonin spike, and over time the brain gets better at handling stressful conditions.—
Samantha Agate,
Kansas City Star,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Nice little Rogen dig here that reminds me of This Is the End poking fun at The Green Hornet.—
Ben Rosenstock,
Vulture,
29 Apr. 2026
-
In response to shouts for everyone to get down, one administration official at a media table crawled under it, with just her high heels poking out.—
Calvin Woodward,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Supporters say those changes would close long-standing gaps in accountability.—
Teresa Liu,
Daily News,
2 May 2026
-
But the regime is still standing and its new leaders appear more radical and open to confrontation than the previous ones.—
Ivana Kottasová,
CNN Money,
2 May 2026
Verb
-
The Storm took advantage of a huge personal foul penalty after Elijhah Badger had caught a 13-yard pass from Plummer and was standing out of bounds.—
Chris Hays,
The Orlando Sentinel,
26 Apr. 2026
-
The run after catch is evident in some of Moore’s deeper targets, too, with his speed and contact balance standing out.—
Joe Buscaglia,
New York Times,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
And sometimes it’s measured in the kind of enduring affection America still feels for a 90-year-old former coach sitting beside a pool in Orlando with coffee, donuts and a newspaper in his hands.—
Mike Bianchi,
The Orlando Sentinel,
6 May 2026
-
Chris and Clare have written an incredibly funny and warm screenplay and Avgousta’s vision and experience promise to make this an enduring festive film.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
6 May 2026
Verb
-
All are easy to grow and quite adaptable in the garden, tolerating deer, drought, heat, and humidity.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
3 May 2026
-
Investors aren't tolerating that anymore.—
Camila Domonoske,
NPR,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Seizing Opportunity for Operational Success Rather than accepting the state of the industry, Kamboj recognized an opportunity.—
Connie Etemadi,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Just after accepting a third-option role behind Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, James was thrust back into the top spot when the star guards were injured April 2.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sticking out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sticking%20out. Accessed 7 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
