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
3
: to make explosive popping sounds
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
Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 17 Apr. 2025
Meanwhile, their power play continued to sputter and wheeze, going 0 for 4 as part of a 2-for-34 funk.
—Andrew Knoll, Oc Register, 12 Apr. 2025
Brad Setser, Foreign Affairs, 25 Mar. 2020
As the stock market sputters, companies stall on big decisions, consumers pull back on spending and job cuts grow, many are asking the same question: Is a recession on the horizon?
—Megan Poinski, Forbes, 11 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sputter
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Verb
Their offense continues to sputter and late issues with their bullpen cost them a game in the Bronx.
—Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 17 Apr. 2025
Meanwhile, their power play continued to sputter and wheeze, going 0 for 4 as part of a 2-for-34 funk.
—Andrew Knoll, Oc Register, 12 Apr. 2025
Noun
Unless China exports too much or invests too much abroad, its economy sputters.
—Brad Setser, Foreign Affairs, 25 Mar. 2020
As the stock market sputters, companies stall on big decisions, consumers pull back on spending and job cuts grow, many are asking the same question: Is a recession on the horizon?
—Megan Poinski, Forbes, 11 Mar. 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 3 May. 2025.
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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