stick out

verb

stuck out; sticking out; sticks out

intransitive verb

1

a

: to jut out : project

b

: to be prominent or conspicuous

2

: to be persistent (as in a demand or an opinion)

transitive verb

: endure, last entry 1

—often used with it

stuck it out to the end

Synonyms

• bag
• balloon
• beetle
• belly
• billow
• bulge
• bunch
• jut
• overhang
• poke
• pooch [chiefly dialect]
• pouch
• pout
• project
• protrude
• stand out
• start
• swell

Examples of stick out in a Sentence

no feet sticking out in the aisles, please

managed to stick out the whole race despite her bad knee

Recent Examples on the Web

Plastic straws were also noted sticking out of sea turtle nostrils, and sickening or killing seabirds, fish, manatees, dolphins and other marine mammals. —Susanne Rust, Los Angeles Times, 12 Feb. 2025

Another thing that stuck out was the idea of empathy, which in my opinion is Sam Wilson’s superpower. —Zack Sharf, Variety, 10 Feb. 2025

In the series finale, Belle arrives late to Milla’s funeral, sticking out like a sore thumb amid friends and family burdened by genuine grief. —Erin Jensen, USA TODAY, 7 Feb. 2025

In reflecting on their time together, Holmes said one thing that will always stick out to him was his willingness to help others. —Alex Malm, Twin Cities, 6 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1640, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a

Kids Definition

stick out

verb

1

a

: to extend out : project

b

: to be noticeable

you will certainly stick out with that red hat and coat

2

: to put up with : endure

stuck it out to the bitter end