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 2024 club reached the ALCS before sputtering against the New York Yankees.
—
Zack Meisel, The Athletic, 24 Feb. 2025
In addition, revenue sputtered in the first year of the program as property owners either sold off homes in the days before the tax took effect or found loopholes to avoid paying it.
—Jack Flemming, Los Angeles Times, 4 Apr. 2025
But now that consumer engine may be sputtering a bit.
—Scott Horsley, NPR, 3 Apr. 2025
The Lakers sputtered late behind turnovers and defensive mistakes, allowing the Pacers to score seven straight points to take a late 119-118 lead after Tyrese Haliburton (16 points and a season-high 18 assists) made an and-1 layup with 42.2 seconds left.
—Khobi Price, Oc Register, 27 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sputter
Zack Meisel, The Athletic, 24 Feb. 2025
In addition, revenue sputtered in the first year of the program as property owners either sold off homes in the days before the tax took effect or found loopholes to avoid paying it.
—Jack Flemming, Los Angeles Times, 4 Apr. 2025
But now that consumer engine may be sputtering a bit.
—Scott Horsley, NPR, 3 Apr. 2025
The Lakers sputtered late behind turnovers and defensive mistakes, allowing the Pacers to score seven straight points to take a late 119-118 lead after Tyrese Haliburton (16 points and a season-high 18 assists) made an and-1 layup with 42.2 seconds left.
—Khobi Price, Oc Register, 27 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sputter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sputter
Verb
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Fair to say that the Ichiban has already accomplished its primary objective of getting moto nerds to drool over it on their phone screens – even though there is little likelihood that it will be built as it is envisioned.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
14 Feb. 2025
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Pay attention for signs of distress: panting, drooling, a high heart rate, dry nose, lethargy, or even vomiting, staggering or seizures.—
Kate Bradshaw,
The Mercury News,
3 Mar. 2025
Verb
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In video shared by The Associated Press, Grassley faces a room of Iowans who are at times shouting in disagreement about some of the Trump administration's policies.—
Allison Pecorin,
ABC News,
23 Apr. 2025
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Chaos ensues when Fred Armisen's auctioneer unveils the painting, prompting everyone else in the room to shout, vomit, and self-harm, including Samberg's then-castmates Bobby Moynihan, Bill Hader, and Kristen Wiig.—
Ryan Coleman,
EW.com,
23 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Nevertheless, the animals’ recurring presence throughout the season visualizes the chattering, anxious feeling that governs the existential turmoil endured by many of the souls haunting the Thai White Lotus resort.—
Nicholas Quah,
Vulture,
7 Apr. 2025
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As Melissa chatters away about her dreams, Shauna’s mind wanders.—
Esther Zuckerman,
New York Times,
28 Mar. 2025
Verb
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He is made, late in the show, to feign a seizure in a moment that doesn’t land, and the blocking of his final scene, in which the actor mutters to the ceiling while lying on his back, similarly thuds.—
Daniel D'Addario,
Variety,
24 Mar. 2025
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Victoria barely muttered a word to Kate, who approached the Ratliffs during a meal, making the exchange extra awkward.—
Alli Rosenbloom,
CNN Money,
5 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Patino chatted with every person, making sure their order was perfect.—
Emily M. Olson,
Hartford Courant,
21 Apr. 2025
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During a recent episode of The Oprah Podcast, the media mogul chatted with social psychologist Jonathan Haidt about the amount of time teenagers spend online.—
Jamie Allison Sanders,
People.com,
18 Apr. 2025
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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The move has rattled economists, manufacturers, and security experts.—
Stephanie Hanes,
Christian Science Monitor,
18 Apr. 2025
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Stocks in the value and dividends category put on strong performances in March, as uncertainty around President Donald Trump’s tariff policy rattled the major averages, Bank of America found.—
Darla Mercado, CFP®,
CNBC,
15 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Even once Tonali had restored Newcastle’s advantage, the home side still stuttered to victory.—
Chris Waugh,
New York Times,
3 Apr. 2025
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Marsden stuttered as Gonzalez put a hand to her heart.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
26 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sputter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sputter. Accessed 3 May. 2025.
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