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
Our own sun will experience this latter transformation in around six billion years after shedding most of its mass during a swollen red giant phase, eventually sputtering out as a smoldering stellar ember.
—
Robert Lea, Space.com, 12 June 2025
After its starring role at WWDC 2024, Apple's AI solution sputtered into existence late in 2024 and hasn't done much since.
—Chloe Albanesius, PC Magazine, 9 June 2025
After a mediocre start to the season, Soto had really sputtered in the final three weeks of May, enduring a 10-for-66 stretch that included a .511 OPS.
—Tim Britton, New York Times, 8 June 2025
And if the American economy starts to sputter on account of the tariffs, Trump will inevitably heap even more blame on the rest of the world.
—Eswar Prasad, Foreign Affairs, 3 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sputter
Robert Lea, Space.com, 12 June 2025
After its starring role at WWDC 2024, Apple's AI solution sputtered into existence late in 2024 and hasn't done much since.
—Chloe Albanesius, PC Magazine, 9 June 2025
After a mediocre start to the season, Soto had really sputtered in the final three weeks of May, enduring a 10-for-66 stretch that included a .511 OPS.
—Tim Britton, New York Times, 8 June 2025
And if the American economy starts to sputter on account of the tariffs, Trump will inevitably heap even more blame on the rest of the world.
—Eswar Prasad, Foreign Affairs, 3 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sputter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sputter
Verb
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Leaning over him, Mary drools into Stack’s mouth, her appetite soon his own.—
Fran Hoepfner,
Vulture,
25 June 2025
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The American Veterinary Medical Association recommends learning the signs of overheating in dogs such as excessive panting, restlessness, excessive drooling, unsteadiness, or abnormal gum and tongue color.—
Kelsey Monstrola,
USA Today,
24 June 2025
Verb
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The true gem remains 17-year-old Kobe Bryant, who was selected 13th by the Charlotte Hornets before West acquired the prospect via trade (shout out to Vlade Divac!).—
James Jackson,
New York Times,
20 June 2025
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But the personnel department — shout out to them — kind of found a diamond in the rough.—
Pat Leonard,
New York Daily News,
20 June 2025
Verb
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Groups outside were chattering over Peronis and cigarettes.—
Adriane Quinlan,
Curbed,
11 June 2025
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Locals chattered over $3 glasses of kir, while the younger set messed about in kayaks or swung from a rope into the cool green river.—
Rachel Howard,
Travel + Leisure,
13 May 2025
Verb
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McMurtry muttering bone-dry jokes at the end of the world.—
Philip Martin,
Arkansas Online,
26 June 2025
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Grandpa got up from his armchair and shuffled into the kitchen, muttering about needing a drink.—
Lizz Schumer,
People.com,
24 June 2025
Verb
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As that rare thing, a young female naturist happy to chat on camera, Saoirse Newhouse has been in demand with the press at the opening ceremony.—
Maureen O'Hare,
CNN Money,
19 June 2025
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There’s something warm and real about friends chatting, sipping wine, maybe helping slice something or sneak a bite.—
Miranda Crowell,
Better Homes & Gardens,
18 June 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 incident shook windows and rattled dishes, according to local media reports.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
19 June 2025
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With his country having killed some of Iran’s top military commanders and rattled its leadership, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says his government’s aerial assault on Iran could trigger the collapse of the regime, opening the door to a popular uprising.—
Dan De Luce,
NBC news,
18 June 2025
Verb
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Iranian talks with the United States to resolve the nuclear dispute have stuttered this year.—
Dan Morrison,
USA Today,
15 June 2025
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South Korea’s economy has stuttered in recent months, with rising costs of living and lower consumption.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
3 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sputter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sputter. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.
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