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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of sputtered
Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 12 June 2026
The tandem of Towns, Bridges and Hart started the matchup with much better percentages before the offense sputtered down the stretch of Game 3.
—Fiifi Frimpong, New York Daily News, 9 June 2026
While secession sputtered, the Valley’s reactionary energy led to structural reforms at City Hall.
—Gary Baum, HollywoodReporter, 8 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
Verb
Whereas the World Cup has long given way to the phenomenon of the English World Cup hype anthem (of these, New Order’s 1990 banger World in Motion is arguably the most listenable outside the context of the actual event), the tradition seems to have sputtered out.
—Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 12 June 2026
The tandem of Towns, Bridges and Hart started the matchup with much better percentages before the offense sputtered down the stretch of Game 3.
—Fiifi Frimpong, New York Daily News, 9 June 2026
While secession sputtered, the Valley’s reactionary energy led to structural reforms at City Hall.
—Gary Baum, HollywoodReporter, 8 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
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
-
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
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
-
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
Adjective
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For many leaders, the phrase conjures up whispered alliances, opportunistic loyalty, self-interested maneuvering and the slow poisoning of organizational culture.—
Harrison Monarth,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2026
Verb
-
The comedy duo with Nickelodeon roots recently chatted with PEOPLE about their new game, Orange Pop!—
Angela Andaloro,
PEOPLE,
12 June 2026
-
The band members chatted with The Times about recapturing the effortless essence of their immortal beach-ready sound and looking forward to a second chance to chase an endless summer.—
Deputy Entertainment,
Los Angeles Times,
11 June 2026
Adjective
-
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
Verb
-
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
-
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
Cite this Entry
“Sputtered.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sputtered. Accessed 14 Jun. 2026.
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