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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Recent Examples of sputtered
Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 15 May 2026
The offense sputtered again in the final four games of the road trip, with the Mets scoring only seven runs in four games against the Rockies and Diamondbacks.
—Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 11 May 2026
The Dodgers’ offense again sputtered.
—Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 10 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
The museum’s original buildings, designed by William Pereira and completed in 1965, sputtered soon after opening.
—Bloomberg, 24 Apr. 2026
Judge Dredd has two movies of varying quality, but attempts to follow the 2012 version with a TV show appear to have sputtered out.
—Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 20 Apr. 2026
Verb
While much of the Dodgers’ offense sputtered on this homestand, Hernández went 9-for-20 with three doubles.
—Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 15 May 2026
The offense sputtered again in the final four games of the road trip, with the Mets scoring only seven runs in four games against the Rockies and Diamondbacks.
—Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 11 May 2026
The Dodgers’ offense again sputtered.
—Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 10 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
The museum’s original buildings, designed by William Pereira and completed in 1965, sputtered soon after opening.
—Bloomberg, 24 Apr. 2026
Judge Dredd has two movies of varying quality, but attempts to follow the 2012 version with a TV show appear to have sputtered out.
—Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 20 Apr. 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
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The Fatale star, 51, recently chatted with PEOPLE about her lobbying efforts for the California Bill AB 1901, which calls for more transparency in diaper ingredients.—
Kayla Grant,
PEOPLE,
21 May 2026
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Flow Space chatted with a dermatologist and a trichologist about how to fix common summer hair and scalp issues.—
Helen Carefoot,
Flow Space,
20 May 2026
Verb
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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
-
But the other 3%, often muttered by students prospectively examining transfer applications, is distinct.—
Noah White,
Miami Herald,
30 Sep. 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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One recent incident occurred in October at the Chevron oil refinery in El Segundo, triggered after a large fire broke out in a corner of the refinery where crude oil is turned to jet fuel, and resulted in a violent blast that rattled homes up to one mile away.—
Hannah Fry,
Los Angeles Times,
23 May 2026
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On Wednesday, the bond selloff took a breather, offering a measure of relief after the spike in yields rattled investors.—
Aimee Picchi,
CBS News,
20 May 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 24 May. 2026.
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