spluttered 1 of 2

Definition of splutterednext

spluttered

2 of 2

verb

past tense of splutter

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for spluttered
Verb
  • Ahead of the screening, Braff addressed fans in attendance and shouted out everyone involved in bringing the revival to life.
    Angeline Jane Bernabe, ABC News, 24 Feb. 2026
  • Related Stories The slur was shouted by John Davidson, who is diagnosed with Tourette syndrome.
    Zack Sharf, Variety, 23 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Jordan was visibly startled when Davidson yelled from the auditorium as audience members gasped.
    John Ross, Vanity Fair, 23 Feb. 2026
  • Three years ago, the other members of Team USA all but gasped at his promise.
    Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 17 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • The few cars that attempted to drive through the flood sputtered and died, bonnet-deep in swirling pondweed.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 26 Feb. 2026
  • Ike, the reigning WCC player of the week, sputtered with his shot most of the night and had to score nine points over the final five minutes to keep his streak going.
    ABC News, ABC News, 19 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Before being sentenced to 38 years in prison for the murder of his third wife, former Bolingbrook police officer Drew Peterson cried, raged and whispered during a 40-minute speech.
    Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 21 Feb. 2026
  • The Dolphins, not Jordan, whispered how his size and disruptive game were reminiscent of Jason Taylor.
    Dave Hyde, Sun Sentinel, 20 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Others include copropraxia, or obscene gestures, and non-obscene but socially inappropriate tics, such as making kissing sounds, spitting or touching others.
    Rena Zito, Fortune, 26 Feb. 2026
  • Did any labor lawyers who read this just spit out their coffee?
    Evan Grant, Dallas Morning News, 26 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • His wraparound, tight-quarters assist on a Keshad Johnson dunk in the second half breathed fire into the lungs of the home crowd.
    Bryce Miller Columnist, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Nov. 2021
Verb
  • Deep breathing could be heard; birds chirped loudly outside; spectators murmured on the periphery.
    Sarah Larson, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Cross-country skiing is known for its attrition, an event that leaves its competitors foam-mouthed and slack-jawed; athletes of iron reduced to trembling and contorted shapes on the floor.
    Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 18 Feb. 2026
  • Gamers will know Brok as the beloved weapons dealer with an unrivaled artistry for creative, foul-mouthed curses.
    Joe Otterson, Variety, 30 Jan. 2026
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Spluttered.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spluttered. Accessed 2 Mar. 2026.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster