sputter

verb

ˈspə-tər How to pronounce sputter (audio)
Definition of sputternext
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 A week after the defense was gashed by Nebraska, the offense sputtered to find its rhythm. — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2026 Yet, when the rest of the team’s offense sputtered for long stretches, Ohtani’s inability to rescue his team at the plate was even more pronounced. — Andrew Greif, NBC news, 16 Oct. 2026 The Broncos got the ball back after Herbert came up short on fourth-and-1, and the Chargers sputtered the rest of the way. — CBS News, 11 Oct. 2026 Instead, the ensuing spree sputters from one encounter to the next, leaving you with a choppy number that should go bigger and end sooner. — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 8 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sputter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sputter
  1. drool
  2. shout
  3. chatter
  4. mutter
  5. chat
  6. gibber
  7. rattle
  8. stutter
Verb
  • Dogs that spend time outdoors, shed heavily, drool frequently, or have accidents may need more frequent cleaning.
    — Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 1 Nov. 2026
  • Mix these finds into your work wardrobe or your off-duty ensembles—they’re versatile enough to do it all, and the festive palette is worth drooling over.
    — Jake Henry Smith, Glamour, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of drool
Verb
  • Aneha shouts to the crowd and then dances off the altar, like this is all a fun gag.
    — Emma Sharpe, Vulture, 4 Nov. 2026
  • In one video, Basabe appears to raise his voice at a man before turning around and shouting at a woman.
    — Sofia Saric, Miami Herald, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of shout
Verb
  • Through his afternoon and evening hunt Dean heard squirrels chattering and scampering through leaves.
    — Bob McNally, Outdoor Life, 6 Nov. 2026
  • There has been chatter about further consolidation of 20th Television and ABC/Hulu.
    — Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 5 Nov. 2026
Definition of chatter
Verb
  • The only thing left in the field was a distraught college kid, pacing back and forth, muttering to himself, and suffering over what might have been.
    — Alex Robinson, Outdoor Life, 28 Oct. 2026
  • The camera then cut to McCarthy, who muttered a profanity in response.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of mutter
Verb
  • Despite former Atanta Mayor Keisha Lance-Bottoms showing an early lead, supporters are still chatting, socializing and enjoying food and drinks at the watch party.
    — Dan Raby, CBS News, 3 Nov. 2026
  • Li asked Chen whether AI could be used to build a digital avatar of himself to chat with fans around the clock.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 3 Nov. 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
  • The 19-year-old appeared unsure, if not rattled, as Florida reached Oklahoma territory just twice, finished with a season-low 203 yards and ran just 47 plays — also the fewest in 2026.
    — Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Nov. 2026
  • But boy, does the audience shiver with delight watching Ghidorah stomp buildings to rubble while the sound design rattles our seats.
    — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of rattle
Verb
  • Cursor movement stayed smooth across two monitors, and the Dell Pro 7 never stuttered or skipped on my matte desk surface.
    — Sascha Brodsky, PC Magazine, 3 Nov. 2026
  • When Nick went to present his first big case to clients and the board, he was paralyzed by stuttering, and the firm hired a vocal coach who taught him to sing through the stammer, hence the moniker.
    — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of stutter

Browse Nearby Words

sputa
sputter
sputtered
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Cite this Entry

“Sputter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sputter. Accessed 11 Nov. 2026.

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