straddling
Standing over something
Straddling is standing or sitting with legs on either side of something: straddling a horse, straddling a fence.
It extends to anything spanning two things or occupying a position between them: a town straddling the border, straddling two cultures.
To straddle an issue is to avoid committing to either side.
With legs spanning
horseback · equestrian · bicycle · motorcycle · sidesaddle · bareback · stirrups · legspan
Outer edge or limit
- thresholdPoint of beginning
- divideSeparate into parts
- edgeBoundary or sharpness
- interfaceShared connection point
crossroads · junction · overlap · between · transitional · intermediate · liminal · borderline
Structure spanning an obstacle
- overpassBridge spanning a road
- viaductArched span crossing valleys
- archCurved spanning structure
- crossingPoint where paths intersect
extend · reach · stretch · gap · chasm · ravine · river · canyon
Pulled into pieces
- conflictedEmotionally at odds
- waveringShowing unsteady resolve
- hesitantSlow to act
- undecidedNot having chosen
noncommittal · fence-sitting · ambivalent · vacillating · irresolute · uncommitted · hedging · equivocating
Of imposing height
- loomingAppearing threateningly close
- pinningFastening with pointed fasteners
- mountingSteadily increasing in degree
- overpoweringToo intense to withstand
subduing · restraining · immobilizing · controlling · grappling · wrestling · holding down · positioning
astride
With legs spanning
seated · horseback · equestrian · bicycle · motorcycle · sidesaddle · bareback · stirrups · legspan · crouch
border
Outer edge or limit
interface · crossroads · junction · overlap · between · transitional · intermediate · liminal · borderline · midpoint
bridge
Structure spanning an obstacle
crossing · extend · reach · stretch · gap · chasm · ravine · river · canyon · gorge
torn
Pulled into pieces
- conflictedEmotionally at odds
- waveringShowing unsteady resolve
- hesitantSlow to act
undecided · noncommittal · fence-sitting · ambivalent · vacillating · irresolute · uncommitted · hedging · equivocating · wishy-washy
towering
Of imposing height
- loomingAppearing threateningly close
- pinningFastening with pointed fasteners
- mountingSteadily increasing in degree
overpowering · subduing · restraining · immobilizing · controlling · grappling · wrestling · holding down · positioning · leverage
straddlingdismounting
Getting off something ridden
stepping off · kneeling · flanking · legs together · perching
straddlingcommitting
Carrying out an act
deciding · fully committed · decisive · resolute · unequivocal
straddle, straddled, straddles, astraddle, straddler, straddlers