SPUTTER Synonyms: 40 Similar and Opposite Words

sputter

verb

ˈspə-tər

Definition of sputter

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

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.

Recent Examples of sputter Of course, there’s the concern of how previous overseas talent has fared at UCLA as a roster with five European players in their first year of college basketball sputtered to a 16-17 season in 2023-24. — Aaron Heisen, Daily News, 9 July 2026 Most concerning to Slok is what happens if this gap grows as AI deployment and productivity gains continue to sputter. — Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 6 July 2026 Wrangling my emotions became the difference between sputtering to a halt and moving forward. — Aytekin Tank, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026 As Messi roared, his long-term rival, Cristiano Ronaldo, sputtered. — Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 29 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for sputter

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sputter

Verb

Some of the signs of overheating include heavy panting or drooling, a rapid pulse, bright red gums or tongue, labored breathing, difficulty standing, vomiting or diarrhea and a fever.

— Cody Godwin, USA Today, 16 July 2026
Typically, the consequence of a sunny Open Championship is firm and fast playing conditions that make golf fans drool.

— Gabby Herzig, New York Times, 16 July 2026

Definition of drool

Verb

The staff member leading the group says the man cussed at them, shouted derogatory names and continued to reference guns.

— Olivia Young, CBS News, 31 July 2026
The Storm put out an apology after a team co-owner allegedly shouted insults at the girls during the game.

— Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 30 July 2026

Definition of shout

Verb

This was 1872, and the pious (and patronizing) commentators of the time muttered that Damien’s unvarnished personality was due to his simple farm upbringing in rural Belgium.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 20 July 2026
Wilde read on social media that the tune actually inspired a movie theater meet-cute, as Nash mutters profanity mid-song.

— Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 11 July 2026

Definition of mutter

Verb

Stay connected with friends, keep the group chat alive and find something else to look forward to.

— Maria Santana, CNN Money, 21 July 2026
Between the initial conversation and the delivery, the AI is always available via text or chat to deal with anything from adding delivery instructions to double-checking order details to even rescheduling a delivery.

— Satish Natarajan, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026

Definition of chat

Verb

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
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

Definition of gibber

Verb

Strikes between the United States and Iran have been ongoing after a stuttering ceasefire.

— Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 31 July 2026
Dog Days, a fusion of memoir, criticism, psychoanalysis, and even scientific theory, makes this stuttering sensation its structuring principle, as the book changes forms and perspectives, doubles back.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 30 July 2026

Definition of stutter

Browse Nearby Words

sputa

sputter

sputtered

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“Sputter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sputter. Accessed 4 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of sputter

verb

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