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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Recent Examples of sputter
The team with the oldest players — starring LeBron James, Kevin Durant and Kawhi Leonard — started hot, beating the younger American stars and the best of the rest from the international pool before the engine sputtered and the wheels fell off with the championship on the line.
—
Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 16 Feb. 2026
Washington — The US economy’s engine may be starting to sputter, as Americans’ paychecks lose steam and their debt becomes even more unwieldy, new data showed Tuesday.
—Bryan Mena, CNN Money, 10 Feb. 2026
While layoffs remain relatively contained, the engine of job creation has sputtered.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 9 Feb. 2026
When the invaders were 200 to 300 yards inland, enemy machine guns sputtered and the air filled with steel.
—Helen I. Bennett, Hartford Courant, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sputter
Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 16 Feb. 2026
Washington — The US economy’s engine may be starting to sputter, as Americans’ paychecks lose steam and their debt becomes even more unwieldy, new data showed Tuesday.
—Bryan Mena, CNN Money, 10 Feb. 2026
While layoffs remain relatively contained, the engine of job creation has sputtered.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 9 Feb. 2026
When the invaders were 200 to 300 yards inland, enemy machine guns sputtered and the air filled with steel.
—Helen I. Bennett, Hartford Courant, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sputter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sputter
Verb
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Even a small amount, whether inhaled or absorbed through the skin, can lead to drooling, vomiting, tremors, or difficulty breathing.—
Mary Cornetta,
Better Homes & Gardens,
3 Mar. 2026
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When the schedule dropped, network brass had to be drooling over this matchup.—
Dieter Kurtenbach,
Mercury News,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Once the pedestrians are out of the way, the car slowly pulls into the intersection before stopping again as the HSI agents approach, shouting instructions for the driver to stop.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
8 Mar. 2026
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As the brawl unfolded, the crowd could be heard shouting profanity.—
Alexandra Koch,
FOXNews.com,
7 Mar. 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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In fact, the director was egging me on, encouraging me to go further with the hunching and muttering.—
Andrew Martin,
Vogue,
9 Mar. 2026
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Old friend Daniel Vladar was spectacular in making 26 saves, several of which had Morgan Geekie (nine total shots, five on net, two blocked, two misses) muttering to himself.—
Steve Conroy,
Boston Herald,
28 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Frequently, chat members discussed Republican politics and race.—
Claire Heddles,
Miami Herald,
5 Mar. 2026
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While chatting with Palmer, a fellow child star, the conversation turned toward their experiences dating older men as teenagers.—
Lara Walsh,
InStyle,
4 Mar. 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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Fighting intensifies between Afghanistan and Pakistan Military conflict between Pakistan and Afghanistan intensified over the weekend, deepening instability in a region that was further rattled by US and Israeli strikes on Iran.—
semafor.com,
semafor.com,
3 Mar. 2026
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Unable to get outs with his four-seam fastball, the 6-foot-2, 200-pound right-hander became rattled, left to nibble with off-speed pitches.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Europe will make an effort—stuttering maybe—to stand on its own two feet.—
Kamal Ahmed,
Fortune,
6 Mar. 2026
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Athletes like Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and George Springer have been open about stuttering issues in the past.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
2 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sputter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sputter. Accessed 10 Mar. 2026.
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