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
Synonyms
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
Ainslie Lee | Alee@al.com, al, 13 Sep. 2023
With the Badgers' offense sputtering to gain significant traction on Saturday against Buffalo and only leading 14-10 and deep in their territory around the midway point of the third quarter, Mellusi electrified the crowd with an amazing run that has to be at the top of his career highlight reel.
—Christopher Kuhagen, Journal Sentinel, 2 Sep. 2023
After a 3-0 start, the Rams sputtered and then ended up finishing with a 3-11-2 record.
—Patrick Z. McGavin, Chicago Tribune, 1 Sep. 2023
Advertisement While the offense wheezed and sputtered much of the game, there were signs of progress, the most encouraging during a methodical fourth-quarter touchdown drive in which Mayden was 7-for-7, completing passes to five different receivers.
—Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Aug. 2023
The Royals sputtered in a 20-6 loss to Franklin Central, accounting for 214 yards of total offense and no offensive touchdowns.
—Kyle Neddenriep, The Indianapolis Star, 25 Aug. 2023
China's economy is now sputtering, and its property sector is showing fresh signs of trouble.
—Dave Sebastian, WSJ, 18 Aug. 2023
Advertisement Overall, however, the offense largely sputtered, the Chargers converting only three of 15 third downs and two of five fourth downs.
—Jeff Miller, Los Angeles Times, 21 Aug. 2023
Little white globules of coconut oil, intended to simulate natural marbling in meat, melted and sputtered.
—Ali Francis, Bon Appétit, 18 Aug. 2023
Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 25 July 2023
But will that ring true if the new offense sputters or if Jackson again misses vital games because of injury?
—Childs Walker, Baltimore Sun, 13 July 2023
LaToya Cantrell remains in office, but frustration and fatigue among residents have continued to spread as crime remains high and basic services sputter.
—Katy Reckdahl, New York Times, 1 May 2023
As Nostradamus, Christopher Schmidt delightfully sputters with revelatory glee.
—Matthew J. Palm, Orlando Sentinel, 27 Apr. 2023
Although Atlanta’s offense sputters to a standstill when Young sits — its 111.4 offensive rating with him on the bench would rank 25th in the NBA — the defense is 2 points per 100 possessions better without him.
—Adam Himmelsbach, BostonGlobe.com, 14 Apr. 2023
The generator finally comes alive with a sputter and roar.
—The Indianapolis Star, 10 Apr. 2023
The Detroit Red Wings continued their sputter towards the finish line, losing for the second straight time to a team below them in the standings.
—Helene St. James, Detroit Free Press, 25 Mar. 2023
Our mitochondria sputter, our endocrine system sags, our DNA snaps.
—Margaret Talbot, The New Yorker, 11 Aug. 2021
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Verb
However, when Auburn was playing Cal in Berkeley last Saturday, the Tigers’ offense sputtered and couldn’t get anything going — regardless of who was under center.
—Ainslie Lee | Alee@al.com, al, 13 Sep. 2023
With the Badgers' offense sputtering to gain significant traction on Saturday against Buffalo and only leading 14-10 and deep in their territory around the midway point of the third quarter, Mellusi electrified the crowd with an amazing run that has to be at the top of his career highlight reel.
—Christopher Kuhagen, Journal Sentinel, 2 Sep. 2023
After a 3-0 start, the Rams sputtered and then ended up finishing with a 3-11-2 record.
—Patrick Z. McGavin, Chicago Tribune, 1 Sep. 2023
Advertisement While the offense wheezed and sputtered much of the game, there were signs of progress, the most encouraging during a methodical fourth-quarter touchdown drive in which Mayden was 7-for-7, completing passes to five different receivers.
—Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Aug. 2023
The Royals sputtered in a 20-6 loss to Franklin Central, accounting for 214 yards of total offense and no offensive touchdowns.
—Kyle Neddenriep, The Indianapolis Star, 25 Aug. 2023
China's economy is now sputtering, and its property sector is showing fresh signs of trouble.
—Dave Sebastian, WSJ, 18 Aug. 2023
Advertisement Overall, however, the offense largely sputtered, the Chargers converting only three of 15 third downs and two of five fourth downs.
—Jeff Miller, Los Angeles Times, 21 Aug. 2023
Little white globules of coconut oil, intended to simulate natural marbling in meat, melted and sputtered.
—Ali Francis, Bon Appétit, 18 Aug. 2023
Noun
The orchestra sputters and clicks through overlapping, irregular pulses.
—Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 25 July 2023
But will that ring true if the new offense sputters or if Jackson again misses vital games because of injury?
—Childs Walker, Baltimore Sun, 13 July 2023
LaToya Cantrell remains in office, but frustration and fatigue among residents have continued to spread as crime remains high and basic services sputter.
—Katy Reckdahl, New York Times, 1 May 2023
As Nostradamus, Christopher Schmidt delightfully sputters with revelatory glee.
—Matthew J. Palm, Orlando Sentinel, 27 Apr. 2023
Although Atlanta’s offense sputters to a standstill when Young sits — its 111.4 offensive rating with him on the bench would rank 25th in the NBA — the defense is 2 points per 100 possessions better without him.
—Adam Himmelsbach, BostonGlobe.com, 14 Apr. 2023
The generator finally comes alive with a sputter and roar.
—The Indianapolis Star, 10 Apr. 2023
The Detroit Red Wings continued their sputter towards the finish line, losing for the second straight time to a team below them in the standings.
—Helene St. James, Detroit Free Press, 25 Mar. 2023
Our mitochondria sputter, our endocrine system sags, our DNA snaps.
—Margaret Talbot, The New Yorker, 11 Aug. 2021
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These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sputter.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Verb
akin to Dutch sputteren to sputter
First Known Use
Verb
1598, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1
Noun
1673, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Phrases Containing sputter
Dictionary Entries Near sputter
Cite this Entry
“Sputter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sputter. Accessed 21 Sep. 2023.
Copy Citation
Kids 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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