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
Relevance
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
Their side hustle is sputtering toward some sort of finish line, the Saudi’s Public Investment Fund having pulled the cashflow that made LIV so appealing in the first place.
—
Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 14 May 2026
The offense sputtered again in the final four games of the road trip, with the Mets scoring only seven runs in four games against the Rockies and Diamondbacks.
—Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 11 May 2026
The speed with which slop and junk sputtered forth has experts worried that audiences may be growing jaded and apathetic in the face of clear distortions.
—Jane Lytvynenko, NBC news, 3 May 2026
But for truly gargantuan stars, the models often sputter out, unable to complete their lives in the simulation.
—Paul Sutter, Space.com, 3 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for sputter
Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 14 May 2026
The offense sputtered again in the final four games of the road trip, with the Mets scoring only seven runs in four games against the Rockies and Diamondbacks.
—Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 11 May 2026
The speed with which slop and junk sputtered forth has experts worried that audiences may be growing jaded and apathetic in the face of clear distortions.
—Jane Lytvynenko, NBC news, 3 May 2026
But for truly gargantuan stars, the models often sputter out, unable to complete their lives in the simulation.
—Paul Sutter, Space.com, 3 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for sputter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sputter
Verb
-
It’s known to cause drooling, diarrhea, colic, abdominal pain, depression and even death if your dog isn’t promptly treated.—
Amy DeYoung,
USA Today,
28 May 2026
-
Surrounded by a gaggle of microphones, cameras and other recording devices, Caleb Wilson offered up a nugget that probably left fans of North Carolina’s NBA team drooling.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
Counter-protesters showed up toward the end and shouted toward the Hernandez supporters and the two sides exchanged some words before dispersing.—
Marisa Ingemi,
Los Angeles Times,
31 May 2026
-
Upon accepting his Vanguard Award from the third annual Critics Choice Association‘s Celebration of LGBTQ+ Cinema & Television last night, Big Mistakes co-creator Dan Levy took a moment to shout out Canadian production for being a step ahead.—
Natalie Oganesyan,
Deadline,
30 May 2026
Verb
-
As Paula finally reaches Detective Gonzalez and excitedly chatters about her wire transfer ruse, the wry officer isn’t amused.—
Erin Qualey,
Vulture,
29 May 2026
-
Wednesday evening, dozens crowded into the community room of a local church, chattering in Spanish and English in the fading light of day as part of a forum on the upcoming ICE facility.—
Luis Melecio-Zambrano,
Mercury News,
28 May 2026
Verb
-
An edgy confrontation The Rangers were still seething as Keenan attempted to address the team following a demoralizing 3-1 loss, with a few snapping back or muttering under their breath.—
Vincent Z. Mercogliano,
New York Times,
21 May 2026
-
On Tuesday, cameras caught Dodgers catcher Dalton Rushing muttering something after looking back at the Giants’ Jung Hoo Lee, who was in discomfort after an awkward slide at home plate.—
Bill Shaikin,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Nice to be around, to work with, nice to chat with between scenes, the whole picture.—
Alessandra Codinha,
InStyle,
3 June 2026
-
The fest’s Storyteller Series will highlight Finneas O’Connell chatting with composer Anthony Willis and Este Haim with writer/director Will Gluck.—
Melissa Ruggieri,
USA Today,
3 June 2026
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
Verb
-
Surveillance video captured the moments before the crash that has rattled many people in Passyunk Square.—
Dan Snyder,
CBS News,
2 June 2026
-
The crackdown on more than 20 nursing schools in South Florida rattled the healthcare industry both here and across the country as agents with the FBI and Health and Human Services alerted state licensing boards about the nurses who illicitly obtained their credentials.—
Jay Weaver,
Miami Herald,
2 June 2026
Verb
-
Even those miniscule advances have come to a stuttering halt this year.—
Sebastian Shukla,
CNN Money,
23 May 2026
-
Surprising melodic choices ride a chameleonic song structure that stutters and shrieks, bounces and raves with a fresh mix of Big Beat, UKG, breakbeats, and electro-pop sounds.—
Kat Bein,
SPIN,
21 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sputter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sputter. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
