as in to drool
to speak rapidly, inarticulately, and usually unintelligibly
she was so shocked that, for a moment, all she could do was sputter
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of sputter
Proposals to do so keep getting made but sputter early in the legislative process.
—
ABC News, 24 Mar. 2026
Hopes high for a quick deal Next steps in Congress could happen quickly if lawmakers can reach agreement, or sputter out just as fast.
—Lisa Mascaro, Los Angeles Times, 24 Mar. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for sputter
ABC News, 24 Mar. 2026
Hopes high for a quick deal Next steps in Congress could happen quickly if lawmakers can reach agreement, or sputter out just as fast.
—Lisa Mascaro, Los Angeles Times, 24 Mar. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for sputter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sputter
Verb
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These plants contain cardiac glycosides, which can cause unpleasant symptoms for dogs and cats alike, such as drooling, diarrhea, abdominal pain, abnormal heart rhythm, and even some neurologic signs.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
24 Mar. 2026
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Chewing on the bulbs can cause severe vomiting and diarrhea, profuse drooling and burns to the mouth.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Miami Herald,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Shoppers shout out the arch support and cushy soles, which are always a plus.—
Annie Blackman,
InStyle,
4 Apr. 2026
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Auriemma had angry words for South Carolina coach Dawn Staley and had to be restrained by his assistant coaches while Staley shouted at him in response after UConn lost its first game of the season, 62-48, at the Mortgage Matchup Center.—
Lori Riley,
Hartford Courant,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Hardcore Survivor fans love to discuss and debate the intricacies of the game and their favorite seasons and winners in the same way that sports fans enjoy chattering nonstop about their teams.—
Dalton Ross,
Entertainment Weekly,
25 Feb. 2026
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This is the shelter’s busiest season, making for the film’s most vibrant, chattering section, and Hélène adapts well to the rhythm and volume of whatever company rolls in, while occasionally retreating to the woods for some respite.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
22 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Past albums like Lyfë and 2093 were best experienced as hourslong excursions into illegible rage-rap experiences that washed over the listener, with Yeat’s voice muttering his harmonies amid glitchy laptop bangers.—
Mosi Reeves,
Rolling Stone,
31 Mar. 2026
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In fact, the director was egging me on, encouraging me to go further with the hunching and muttering.—
Andrew Martin,
Vogue,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
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For its part, FreeTaxUSA offers email and chat help for technical issues.—
Kathy Yakal,
PC Magazine,
8 Apr. 2026
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Elsewhere, Miller interviewed the show’s stars, including Sydney Sweeney, Hunter Schafer and Maude Apatow, but her chat with the Christy star was certainly the buzziest of the three.—
McKinley Franklin,
HollywoodReporter,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
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But when the disheveled, withdrawn ex-friend shows up in the locker room gibbering about an evil spirit, Sam is mortified, impulsively knocking to the ground the grungy-looking Mason jar that Tamira has been carrying around.—
Dennis Harvey,
Variety,
18 Sep. 2023
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For a while, police interest bent toward a Phud who had been warned he might be eliminated from the program, who had seemed almost exultant about the fire and gibbered gleefully about the media spotlight.—
New York Times,
New York Times,
13 Apr. 2018
Verb
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After weeks of war rattling supply chains, some businesses are beginning to pass along higher costs to consumers with sneaky — and not-so-sneaky — price hikes.—
Alexandra Banner,
CNN Money,
7 Apr. 2026
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Maybe there were other things Donovan could have tried; other sabers to rattle, other philanthropists to approach.—
Megan Molteni,
STAT,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
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It’s equipped with a 75Hz refresh rate and AMD FreeSync technology to eliminate image tearing and stuttering, ensuring even fast action scenes remain seamless.—
Juhi Wadia,
PC Magazine,
27 Mar. 2026
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After stuttering through trade rumours last week, Matthew Knies had another noticeable game Saturday night with an assist.—
Joshua Kloke,
New York Times,
15 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sputter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sputter. Accessed 9 Apr. 2026.
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