sticking

2.7

Extending beyond a surface, like a nail or piece of paper

adjective
/ˈstɪkɪŋ/

: sobresaliente

She noticed a piece of hair sticking out from under her hat.

Examples

But this one, like this leg is sticking straight out.
When it's at rest, these things are sticking up just a little bit.
OK, so the normal vector is just sticking straight up or straight down.
And then the side would be the one that's sticking up.
The classic short term sticking plaster cycle decisions.
So the smoother The thing is, the less sticking you'll have here here.
The rock was sticking out of the ground, making it hard to walk there.
There was a nail sticking up from the floor, which posed a safety hazard.

Synonyms

sticking out

vssticking

15 2.9

Coming out past a surface so it can be seen

is the basic neutral term rather than sharper or forceful variants

protruding

vssticking

4.2

Sticking out from a surface like a nail or branch

is more neutral and less suggestive of thrusting or force

projected

vssticking

4.9

A part that sticks out from a surface, like a roof or balcony

is the neutral ongoing description rather than a firmer completed extension

projecting

vssticking

4.2

Sticks out from a surface or edge

is a simple state description rather than emphasizing active extension

jutting

vssticking

4.8

Sticking out from a surface or edge

is more neutral and less focused on sharp angled forward shape

protrusive

vssticking

7.6

Sticking out from a surface so it is noticed

is the milder static description rather than a forceful active push

Antonyms

flush

3 6.5

Level with a nearby surface so there is no gap

recessed

1 5.6

Set back into a wall to make a small shelf or seat

Idioms

sticking out

15 2.9

Coming out past a surface so it can be seen

Compounds

sticking point

21 6.4

An issue in talks that causes disagreement and stops progress

pig-sticking

Archaic

9.9

An activity of hunting wild pigs using long spears

sticking plaster

2.5

A small sticky bandage put on a small cut to protect it

How Far

jutting

4.8

sticking

2.7

raised

1.0

Surface Forms

sticking positive

Morphology

sticking = stick (transparent) = stick + ing

The adjective is formed from the verb 'stick' with the present-participle suffix '-ing', giving the straightforward meaning 'projecting' or 'protruding'.

Etymology

Sticking comes from the simple verb stick, which meant 'to pierce' or 'to fasten', like a small wooden stick pushed into something. So when something is 'sticking out' it is like that little stick pushing beyond a surface, which explains the meaning 'protruding'.