as in drooled
to speak rapidly, inarticulately, and usually unintelligibly
she was so shocked that, for a moment, all she could do was sputter
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in shouted
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of sputtered
Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 19 Oct. 2025
Florida never averaged more than 27 points per game during his tenure, and as the Gators sputtered last year, he was encouraged to hire an offensive coordinator and delegate.
—Noah White, Miami Herald, 19 Oct. 2025
Democrats' ballyhooed and famously expensive bid to unseat her in 2020 sputtered to an 8-point defeat in a state that President Joe Biden carried by 9 points.
—NPR, 14 Oct. 2025
Unpopular Peruvian president removed from office Peruvian lawmakers impeached President Dina Boluarte and removed her from power, ending an unpopular presidency during which crime rates soared and the economy sputtered.
—Ben Smith, semafor.com, 14 Oct. 2025
While the Rangers thoroughly dominated the Buffalo Sabres (4-0) and Pittsburgh Penguins (6-1) on the road, New York sputtered in their last outing, a 1-0 home loss to the Washington Capitals.
—MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Oct. 2025
San Francisco’s offense sputtered with Mac Jones starting a fourth game because of Brock Purdy’s Week 1 toe injury.
—Cam Inman, Mercury News, 13 Oct. 2025
When a loose puck sputtered away from Logan Thompson in a goal-mouth scramble, Schaefer dived in and poked it into the net.
—Peter Baugh, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2025
Rather than seize control of the game, the offense sputtered at the wrong time.
—Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 7 Oct. 2025
Adjective
The Patriots got out to a hot start running the ball but sputtered out in the red zone on their ensuing drive.
—Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 19 Oct. 2025
Florida never averaged more than 27 points per game during his tenure, and as the Gators sputtered last year, he was encouraged to hire an offensive coordinator and delegate.
—Noah White, Miami Herald, 19 Oct. 2025
Democrats' ballyhooed and famously expensive bid to unseat her in 2020 sputtered to an 8-point defeat in a state that President Joe Biden carried by 9 points.
—NPR, 14 Oct. 2025
Unpopular Peruvian president removed from office Peruvian lawmakers impeached President Dina Boluarte and removed her from power, ending an unpopular presidency during which crime rates soared and the economy sputtered.
—Ben Smith, semafor.com, 14 Oct. 2025
While the Rangers thoroughly dominated the Buffalo Sabres (4-0) and Pittsburgh Penguins (6-1) on the road, New York sputtered in their last outing, a 1-0 home loss to the Washington Capitals.
—MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Oct. 2025
San Francisco’s offense sputtered with Mac Jones starting a fourth game because of Brock Purdy’s Week 1 toe injury.
—Cam Inman, Mercury News, 13 Oct. 2025
When a loose puck sputtered away from Logan Thompson in a goal-mouth scramble, Schaefer dived in and poked it into the net.
—Peter Baugh, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2025
Rather than seize control of the game, the offense sputtered at the wrong time.
—Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 7 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sputtered
Verb
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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
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The opportunity to see one of ballet’s greats brought out a crowd that included baseball legends like CC Sabathia and Dave Winfield, who made their way upstairs to the pre-performance cocktail hour, where Iman chatted with Debbie Allen and her sister Phylicia Rashad.—
Kristen Tauer,
Footwear News,
23 Oct. 2025
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Prior to checking in at the guesthouse, Mangione met a Japanese professional poker player at dinner in Tokyo in February and chatted with two American expatriates in Bangkok in March, The New York Times reported.—
Jenna Sundel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
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But the team stuttered against the Philadelphia Eagles and then against the Atlanta Falcons in weeks 3 and 4.—
Chelsea Brasted,
Axios,
4 Oct. 2024
Verb
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Diners chattered away and ate at the restaurant while wedding guests gathered on the dance floor.—
Lauren Mascarenhas,
CNN Money,
22 Sep. 2025
Verb
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At the end of the tune, the proud dad shouted out a sweet message to his daughter and thanked everyone for their participation.—
Kayla Grant,
PEOPLE,
24 Oct. 2025
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The young actress playing Grande’s mini-me in the second Wicked film is Scarlett Spears, whom the pop star shouted out in a sweet post on Instagram after the casting reveal.—
Hannah Dailey,
Billboard,
23 Oct. 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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But the other 3%, often muttered by students prospectively examining transfer applications, is distinct.—
Noah White,
Miami Herald,
30 Sep. 2025
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Although full disclosure, those two words were muttered in the press box Sunday after Nix had thrown two unsightly picks through the first three quarters of the Broncos’ win over Tennessee.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Once all is shrieked and done, though, what’s left is a faux-prestige screed that’s 100 percent #OhHellNo!—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
9 Oct. 2025
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Been there, shrieked at that — but give the Normans credit for leaning into the mean-spirited spirit of the endeavor with some groan- and cheer-worthy fatalities, including a POV shot from the perspective of a witch’s broomstick.—
A.A. Dowd,
Vulture,
3 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sputtered.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sputtered. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
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