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 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 The vacant plaza, including a former Stop & Shop and a former Bradlees discount store, was demolished in 2012, but progress on attracting new development sputtered in the years afterward. — Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 25 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

Opposition lawmakers held placards and shouted slogans seeking Pradhan’s resignation outside the Parliament building and then disrupted proceedings inside, forcing the chambers to be repeatedly suspended.

— Reuters, NBC news, 23 July 2026
There are definitely some new risks and threat vectors—there’s no shortage of people shouting about them from the rooftops.

— RJ Friedman, Forbes.com, 22 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

So, the discovery last week of two birds infected with the deadly H5N1 strain of bird flu has rattled nerves.

— Todd Symons, CNN Money, 22 July 2026
Icon Sportswire via Getty Images Saber-rattling between Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association over the league’s push for a salary cap could lead to a protracted lockout.

— Maury Brown, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026

Definition of rattle

Verb

The track — with its croaking guitar, cymbal smashes, and stuttering vocals — sounds nothing like Brat’s gleaming, clubby gems (or the bouncy pop-punk of her 2014 LP Sucker, for that matter).

— Caryn Ganz, Rolling Stone, 23 July 2026
Since a stuttering start with a draw against Cape Verde, Spain have looked the most complete, most cohesive team at this tournament.

— Oliver Kay, New York Times, 19 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 28 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of sputter

verb

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