as in shouted
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
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
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of sputtered
Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 26 Mar. 2026
By contrast, Sondheim was consistently accessible and encouraging to younger composers and lyricists even as his own artistic output sputtered.
—Los Angeles Times, 17 Mar. 2026
Carter sputtered early but exploded in the second and third quarters to run away with a 67-41 win.
—Darren Lauber, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Mar. 2026
Healthcare, recently the principal engine of American job growth, sputtered, shedding 28,000 jobs.
—Max Klaver, Miami Herald, 10 Mar. 2026
The few cars that attempted to drive through the flood sputtered and died, bonnet-deep in swirling pondweed.
—Literary Hub, 26 Feb. 2026
Ike, the reigning WCC player of the week, sputtered with his shot most of the night and had to score nine points over the final five minutes to keep his streak going.
—ABC News, 19 Feb. 2026
Proposals to create public options in Maine and New Mexico also sputtered.
—Jazmin Orozco Rodriguez, NPR, 18 Feb. 2026
The team with the oldest players — starring LeBron James, Kevin Durant and Kawhi Leonard — started hot, beating the younger American stars and the best of the rest from the international pool before the engine sputtered and the wheels fell off with the championship on the line.
—Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 16 Feb. 2026
Verb
The Heat stand 4-3 when starting the lineup, one that was efficient in building an early lead at the outset of Wednesday night’s game, but one that also sputtered at the start of the second half, when all of that early lead was lost.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 26 Mar. 2026
By contrast, Sondheim was consistently accessible and encouraging to younger composers and lyricists even as his own artistic output sputtered.
—Los Angeles Times, 17 Mar. 2026
Carter sputtered early but exploded in the second and third quarters to run away with a 67-41 win.
—Darren Lauber, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Mar. 2026
Healthcare, recently the principal engine of American job growth, sputtered, shedding 28,000 jobs.
—Max Klaver, Miami Herald, 10 Mar. 2026
The few cars that attempted to drive through the flood sputtered and died, bonnet-deep in swirling pondweed.
—Literary Hub, 26 Feb. 2026
Ike, the reigning WCC player of the week, sputtered with his shot most of the night and had to score nine points over the final five minutes to keep his streak going.
—ABC News, 19 Feb. 2026
Proposals to create public options in Maine and New Mexico also sputtered.
—Jazmin Orozco Rodriguez, NPR, 18 Feb. 2026
The team with the oldest players — starring LeBron James, Kevin Durant and Kawhi Leonard — started hot, beating the younger American stars and the best of the rest from the international pool before the engine sputtered and the wheels fell off with the championship on the line.
—Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 16 Feb. 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
-
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
-
Our lives and bodies conversed and chattered.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
16 Dec. 2025
-
Clancy then walked in from behind the stage, carrying a bouquet of flowers as the students chattered.—
Erin Clack,
PEOPLE,
10 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Campbell shook hands and chatted it up with scores of familiar faces during the workout at Sac State, including Hornets athletic director Mark Orr.—
Joe Davidson,
Sacbee.com,
28 Mar. 2026
-
As gentle electronica played over a crackly speaker, the women laughed and chatted, eventually doing as asked.—
Jen Christensen,
CNN Money,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
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
-
Midway through the second half, Ijadimbola took a feed from Shay Jackson and rattled the rim with a thunderous dunk.—
Mike Cook,
Twin Cities,
28 Mar. 2026
-
Giuseppe Cacace | Afp | Getty Images Markets across the Gulf region have diverged sharply since the Middle East conflict began, as investors traverse big swings in energy prices and markets remain rattled by geopolitical turmoil.—
Hugh Leask,
CNBC,
27 Mar. 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
Cite this Entry
“Sputtered.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sputtered. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
