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
  • Conan O'Brien shouted out his friend, comedian Martin Short, at the end of the 98th Oscars.
    Marina Watts, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Mar. 2026
  • Its writer-director, Ryan Coogler, affectionately shouted out his wife and producing partner, Zinzi; its composer, Ludwig Göransson, spoke of his father investing him with a love of blues music from childhood.
    David Sims, The Atlantic, 16 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Her brothers and sisters all gasped.
    Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 11 Mar. 2026
  • The View's audience gasped at the observation, which Haines strongly countered.
    Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Carter sputtered early but exploded in the second and third quarters to run away with a 67-41 win.
    Darren Lauber, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Mar. 2026
  • Healthcare, recently the principal engine of American job growth, sputtered, shedding 28,000 jobs.
    Max Klaver, Miami Herald, 10 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Around Chinatown, people whispered that Chin Gin Hay was dating a white woman who taught piano in the neighborhood.
    Charlotte Brooks, Big Think, 13 Mar. 2026
  • In Nguyen’s text, you will be guided by sure hands, as welcome storytelling is whispered in your ear.
    Scott Hocker, TheWeek, 5 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The bacteria is spread by coming into contact with an infected person's saliva or spit, such as through coughing, kissing, sharing items or sneezing near someone's face.
    Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 19 Mar. 2026
  • Pardington spat out the coin and looked at the bird, the male with its long, curved beak and pronounced wattle.
    Tom Page, CNN Money, 19 Mar. 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
  • Meyers bent his head and murmured to Bria.
    CBS News, CBS News, 6 Mar. 2026
  • Deep breathing could be heard; birds chirped loudly outside; spectators murmured on the periphery.
    Sarah Larson, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The late actor was nominated in the category alongside her co-star Kathryn Hahn, who plays foul-mouthed studio marketing executive Maya Mason in the Hollywood satire.
    Senior Television, Los Angeles Times, 2 Mar. 2026
  • Always good when our president cultivates an image of American athletes as petty, foul-mouthed vengeance seekers.
    Scott Ostler, San Francisco Chronicle, 1 Mar. 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 21 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