as in shouted
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of sputtered
Dan Wiederer, Chicago Tribune, 7 Jan. 2025
New England's offense has sputtered, and their defense hasn't been able to keep games competitive.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 5 Jan. 2025
The offense sputtered and trailed 6-3 at halftime, producing only a 47-yard field goal by Zane Gonzalez in the first half.
—Ben Standig, The Athletic, 5 Jan. 2025
Talks to free them have sputtered since a weeklong truce in November 2023 that allowed for the release of 105 Israeli and foreign captives.
—Aaron Boxerman, New York Times, 4 Jan. 2025
Sure, the Patriots offense has sputtered more often than not, but Van Pelt’s done a better job than his boss, Mayo, and defensive counterpart DeMarcus Covington.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 3 Jan. 2025
The Celtics were still on top of the world, while the Pacers sputtered out of the gate.
—Jared Weiss, The Athletic, 29 Dec. 2024
After jumping out to a 9-2 start this season, the Phoenix Suns have sputtered over the past month as injuries have besieged their Big Three.
—Bryan Toporek, Forbes, 26 Dec. 2024
The passing offense sputtered uncharacteristically.
—Joe Buscaglia, The Athletic, 23 Dec. 2024
Verb
The Bears lost Brown’s first four games as head coach by an average score of 27-11 while the offense sputtered to an average of 252 yards during that span.
—Dan Wiederer, Chicago Tribune, 7 Jan. 2025
New England's offense has sputtered, and their defense hasn't been able to keep games competitive.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 5 Jan. 2025
The offense sputtered and trailed 6-3 at halftime, producing only a 47-yard field goal by Zane Gonzalez in the first half.
—Ben Standig, The Athletic, 5 Jan. 2025
Talks to free them have sputtered since a weeklong truce in November 2023 that allowed for the release of 105 Israeli and foreign captives.
—Aaron Boxerman, New York Times, 4 Jan. 2025
Sure, the Patriots offense has sputtered more often than not, but Van Pelt’s done a better job than his boss, Mayo, and defensive counterpart DeMarcus Covington.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 3 Jan. 2025
The Celtics were still on top of the world, while the Pacers sputtered out of the gate.
—Jared Weiss, The Athletic, 29 Dec. 2024
After jumping out to a 9-2 start this season, the Phoenix Suns have sputtered over the past month as injuries have besieged their Big Three.
—Bryan Toporek, Forbes, 26 Dec. 2024
The passing offense sputtered uncharacteristically.
—Joe Buscaglia, The Athletic, 23 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sputtered
Verb
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Abel Bonne chatted with friends on Havana's Malecon waterfront boulevard early Saturday, taking in the fresh sea breeze after a stuffy night without power.—
Fox News,
Fox News,
15 Mar. 2025
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Speaking on his YouTube channel, Bisping chatted about the current lightweight title picture in the UFC, and said that the UFC's matchmakers could go in any one of many different directions with their next fight booking for the 155-pound title.—
Mark Davis,
Newsweek,
14 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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The stars each mouthed lines their characters said while taking a phone call.—
Julia Moore,
Peoplemag,
18 Sep. 2024
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British scientists have developed a choker that detects its wearer's silently mouthed words, and converts them into audible synthetic speech.—
Ben Coxworth,
New Atlas,
17 Sep. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Sputtered.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sputtered. Accessed 24 May. 2025.
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