sputter

¹sput·ter

verb \ˈspə-tər\

Definition of SPUTTER

transitive verb

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

intransitive verb

1

: to spit or squirt particles of food or saliva noisily from the mouth

2

: to speak explosively or confusedly in anger or excitement

3

: to make explosive popping sounds

— sput·ter·er noun

Examples of SPUTTER

1. The motor sputtered and died.
2. He was sputtering with rage.
3. She sputtered an angry protest.
4. “You, you have to be kidding!” he sputtered.

Origin of SPUTTER

akin to Dutch sputteren to sputter

First Known Use: 1598

Related to SPUTTER

Synonyms: bumble, chat, chatter, drivel, drool, gabble, gibber, jabber, prattle, babble

Related Words: blabber, blather, bleat, blither, gab, jangle, jaw, patter, prate, rattle, run on, smatter, tittle-tattle, troll, yak (also yack); chunter [British], maunder, mouth, mumble, murmur, mutter; stammer, stutter; screech, shout, shriek

Near Antonyms: articulate, enunciate, pronounce

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Rhymes with SPUTTER

butter, clutter, cutter, flutter, gutter, mutter, nutter, putter, scutter, shutter, splutter, strutter, stutter, utter