as in shouted
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as in drooled
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 sputtered
Fiifi Frimpong, New York Daily News, 6 June 2026
Both series peaked early and both sputtered on to diminishing returns before giving up the ghost (sorry) — at least until the IP was dusted off again, to arguable gain in the case of Scream.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 4 June 2026
The Royals’ offense has sputtered this year, scoring just 221 runs, the fewest in the majors.
—Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 1 June 2026
While Hernández found contact on each of his at-bats, the rest of the team sputtered through six innings.
—Liana Handler, Los Angeles Times, 26 May 2026
After scoring the first 15 points of the game, San Antonio sputtered, eventually falling 123-108.
—Jared Weiss, New York Times, 26 May 2026
After his presidential run sputtered out, Swalwell returned to his district and began interacting more with one of his junior staffers, who was 21 at the time.
—Allison Gordon, CNN Money, 4 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
While first-year coach Dan Muse — a finalist for the Jack Adams award as the NHL's Coach of the Year — won raves for his positivity and meticulous preparation, the league's third-highest scoring team also sputtered while falling into a 3-0 hole to the Flyers.
—CBS News, 2 May 2026
Verb
Immediately, the Spurs dwindled a double-digit lead to five as the Knicks sputtered.
—Fiifi Frimpong, New York Daily News, 6 June 2026
Both series peaked early and both sputtered on to diminishing returns before giving up the ghost (sorry) — at least until the IP was dusted off again, to arguable gain in the case of Scream.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 4 June 2026
The Royals’ offense has sputtered this year, scoring just 221 runs, the fewest in the majors.
—Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 1 June 2026
While Hernández found contact on each of his at-bats, the rest of the team sputtered through six innings.
—Liana Handler, Los Angeles Times, 26 May 2026
After scoring the first 15 points of the game, San Antonio sputtered, eventually falling 123-108.
—Jared Weiss, New York Times, 26 May 2026
After his presidential run sputtered out, Swalwell returned to his district and began interacting more with one of his junior staffers, who was 21 at the time.
—Allison Gordon, CNN Money, 4 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
While first-year coach Dan Muse — a finalist for the Jack Adams award as the NHL's Coach of the Year — won raves for his positivity and meticulous preparation, the league's third-highest scoring team also sputtered while falling into a 3-0 hole to the Flyers.
—CBS News, 2 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sputtered
Adjective
-
This blend of styles is not only about presenting contrasts—clean versus shouted vocals, melodic versus dissonant riffs, headbanging versus moshing—but also preserving the murky in-between that only elevates the extreme.—
Sam Sodomsky,
Pitchfork,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
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For years, college coaches and NBA scouts have drooled over the potential of Stokes, a likely 2027 lottery pick.—
Lindsay Schnell,
New York Times,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Keong says these pillow protectors slide easily over her puffiest pillows, wash up well at the laundromat, and help prevent her new pillows from getting too drooled-on to be presentable for overnight guests.—
Nashia Baker,
Architectural Digest,
23 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The two lovebirds chattered on happily about the book.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
23 Apr. 2026
-
Clancy then walked in from behind the stage, carrying a bouquet of flowers as the students chattered.—
Erin Clack,
PEOPLE,
10 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Ladies sat in plush chairs around the space and chatted.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
29 May 2026
-
The two chatted about when the Beatles first came to America in 1964, creativity, his new album and McCartney’s childhood.—
Mark Kennedy,
Fortune,
23 May 2026
Verb
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In the shadows of the long-hut, the elders muttered among themselves—of portents and crops and weather and the storage of grain.—
Maggie O’Farrell,
Literary Hub,
2 June 2026
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As for one consistent complaint heard muttered amid bleary-eyed guests of the former Standard, Schrager confirms the appropriate adjustments have been made.—
Seth Abramovitch,
HollywoodReporter,
3 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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His wraparound, tight-quarters assist on a Keshad Johnson dunk in the second half breathed fire into the lungs of the home crowd.—
Bryce Miller Columnist,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
19 Nov. 2021
Verb
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Helicopters and troops descending upon the Puente Hills Mall rattled Palacios and her daughter, who live a block away from the shopping center.—
Joy Benedict,
CBS News,
6 June 2026
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The Bay Area hotel industry is being swamped by waves of loan defaults, plunging values and foreclosures as the sector seeks to gain its footing in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic that rattled the worldwide lodging and travel sectors.—
George Avalos,
Mercury News,
4 June 2026
Adjective
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No photograph could catch the smell drifting from the nearby military barracks and Indian camps; capture the murmured swirl of French, English, Arapaho, and Lakota; or let a viewer feel the colliding anxieties and expectations that hung heavy over negotiations like this.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sputtered.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sputtered. Accessed 8 Jun. 2026.
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