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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of sputtered
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
29 June 2026
The vacant plaza, including a former Stop & Shop and a former Bradlees discount store, was demolished in 2012, but progress on attracting new development sputtered in the years afterward.
—
Don Stacom,
Hartford Courant,
25 June 2026
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
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
Verb
As Messi roared, his long-term rival, Cristiano Ronaldo, sputtered.
—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
29 June 2026
The vacant plaza, including a former Stop & Shop and a former Bradlees discount store, was demolished in 2012, but progress on attracting new development sputtered in the years afterward.
—
Don Stacom,
Hartford Courant,
25 June 2026
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
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
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.
Verb
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For Valentine's Day 2026, the retailer released a confetti glass icon candle that shoppers drooled over.
-
Fighter Josh Hokit drooled at the weigh-in in front of the Lincoln Memorial.
Adjective
-
Often made by anonymous rappers and producers with a monkish dedication to their craft, this isn’t rap for the live show but for the headphones, music where every muttered word and barely-there snare matters.
Verb
-
The youthful musicians chattered away like creatures of the Transylvanian night.
-
Vuvuzelas honked like a chorus of drunk geese, and spectators chattered excitedly.
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.
Verb
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Other celeb sightings in New York City ahead of the big day include Kelce's Tight End University co-founder George Kittle and his wife Claire, who chatted with PEOPLE recently about their excitement for Swift and Kelce's wedding.
-
Tong, who also had a hard-working, immigrant background, chatted often with the younger Larson.
Adjective
-
For many leaders, the phrase conjures up whispered alliances, opportunistic loyalty, self-interested maneuvering and the slow poisoning of organizational culture.
Verb
-
The 27-year-old right-hander isn’t easily rattled, which is one of the reasons the Mets like him.
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In late May, in broad daylight, residents across Massachusetts and beyond saw a brilliant flash in the sky, followed by two sonic booms that rattled windows, shook houses, and prompted a flood of 911 calls.
Cite this Entry
“Sputtered.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sputtered. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
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