sputtered; sputtering; sputters
1
: to spit or squirt from the mouth with explosive sounds
2
: to utter hastily or explosively in confusion or excitement
"That's ridiculous!" she sputtered.
3
: to dislodge (atoms) from the surface of a material by collision with high energy particles
also
: to deposit (a metallic film) by such a process
1
: to spit or squirt particles of food or saliva noisily from the mouth
2
: to speak explosively or confusedly in anger or excitement
He was so angry he was spurting.
3
: to make explosive popping sounds
a spurting engine
sputterer
noun
1
: confused and excited speech or discussion
2
: the act or sound of sputtering
Examples of sputter in a Sentence
Verb
The motor sputtered and died.
He was sputtering with rage.
She sputtered an angry protest.
“You, you have to be kidding!” he sputtered.
Recent Examples on the Web
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Jan. 2026
Miami’s defense, its strength all season, didn’t break often but the Rebels were able to do enough throughout the game to keep it close and take a lead late when Miami’s offense sputtered.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 10 Jan. 2026
Britina Cheng, Vulture, 29 Dec. 2025
And as Phase 1 sputters along, analysts warn that Phase 2 presents a host of complex challenges, from security arrangements to competing governance demands, that could slow or even stall the process.
—Freddie Clayton, NBC news, 6 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sputter
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Verb
The only constant is Mount Etna, looming off to one side, at times sputtering out smoke, ash, and short bursts of lava.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Jan. 2026
Miami’s defense, its strength all season, didn’t break often but the Rebels were able to do enough throughout the game to keep it close and take a lead late when Miami’s offense sputtered.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 10 Jan. 2026
Noun
The film had a huge opening (for A24) over Timmy’s b-day weekend.
overnights Dec. 28, 2025
Mayor of Kingstown Season-Finale Recap: This Damned Show Despite the satisfying death of the season’s big bad, who goes out whimpering, the season ends with a sputter rather than a bang.
—Britina Cheng, Vulture, 29 Dec. 2025
And as Phase 1 sputters along, analysts warn that Phase 2 presents a host of complex challenges, from security arrangements to competing governance demands, that could slow or even stall the process.
—Freddie Clayton, NBC news, 6 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sputter
Cite this Entry
“Sputter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sputter. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
sputter
1 of 2 verb
sput·ter
ˈspət-ər 
1
: to spit or squirt pieces of food or saliva noisily from the mouth
2
: to speak or utter hastily or explosively in confusion or excitement
sputtered out protests
3
: to make explosive popping sounds
the motor sputtered and died
sputterer
noun
-ər-ər
sputter
2 of 2 noun
: the act or sound of sputtering
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