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
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Recent Examples of sputtered
Jeff Howe, New York Times, 6 Jan. 2026
The 49ers instead sputtered to a 13-3 defeat at the hands of the Seahawks, who finished the year 14-3.
—Michael McGough, Sacbee.com, 4 Jan. 2026
While the running game sputtered and gained just 64 yards, Oregon quarterback Dante Moore hit on 26 of 33 attempts for 234 yards.
—Paul Myerberg, USA Today, 2 Jan. 2026
The three-time All-Star missed 14 games with a shoulder injury, and the Rangers sorely missed their top defenseman, going 6-6-2 in his absence while the power play sputtered without him.
—Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 2 Jan. 2026
Economic growth withstood headwinds from tariffs and elevated interest rates, but consumer sentiment sputtered.
—Max Zahn, ABC News, 31 Dec. 2025
And the most puzzling aspect of the loss was Carolina’s offense, which sputtered throughout a foggy afternoon.
—Charlotte Observer, 29 Dec. 2025
All three drives ended with a turnover – one fumble courtesy of Greg Dulcich as well as Ewers’ two picks – and the offense sputtered, amassing just 44 yards.
—Miami Herald, 22 Dec. 2025
Then the school's backup generator sputtered.
—Emily Schwing, NPR, 10 Nov. 2025
Verb
And when the offense sputtered around midseason, there was little incentive to treat Prescott like a Pro Bowler, at least until the Cowboys’ last gasp at success in December.
—Jeff Howe, New York Times, 6 Jan. 2026
The 49ers instead sputtered to a 13-3 defeat at the hands of the Seahawks, who finished the year 14-3.
—Michael McGough, Sacbee.com, 4 Jan. 2026
While the running game sputtered and gained just 64 yards, Oregon quarterback Dante Moore hit on 26 of 33 attempts for 234 yards.
—Paul Myerberg, USA Today, 2 Jan. 2026
The three-time All-Star missed 14 games with a shoulder injury, and the Rangers sorely missed their top defenseman, going 6-6-2 in his absence while the power play sputtered without him.
—Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 2 Jan. 2026
Economic growth withstood headwinds from tariffs and elevated interest rates, but consumer sentiment sputtered.
—Max Zahn, ABC News, 31 Dec. 2025
And the most puzzling aspect of the loss was Carolina’s offense, which sputtered throughout a foggy afternoon.
—Charlotte Observer, 29 Dec. 2025
All three drives ended with a turnover – one fumble courtesy of Greg Dulcich as well as Ewers’ two picks – and the offense sputtered, amassing just 44 yards.
—Miami Herald, 22 Dec. 2025
Then the school's backup generator sputtered.
—Emily Schwing, NPR, 10 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sputtered
Adjective
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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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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
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Clancy then walked in from behind the stage, carrying a bouquet of flowers as the students chattered.—
Erin Clack,
PEOPLE,
10 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Emma Stone and Ariana Grande, seated just a table away from each other, shared a private moment catching up, while Clooney, Paltrow and Ethan Hawke chatted a few tables over.—
Andrea Mandell,
PEOPLE,
10 Jan. 2026
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Falcons long snapper Liam McCullough chatted with reporters Monday.—
D. Orlando Ledbetter,
AJC.com,
8 Jan. 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
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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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But his threat came as widespread protests—fueled by a devaluing currency and rapid inflation—have rattled the country in the past week, leading to violent clashes involving security forces.—
Chad de Guzman,
Time,
5 Jan. 2026
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But a turnover from San Diego State leading scorer BJ Davis (22) gave Boise State senior guard Dylan Andrews the chance to win the game at the buzzer; however, his midrange jumper over a defender rattled inside the rim and back out as the buzzer sounded.—
Idaho Statesman,
Idaho Statesman,
4 Jan. 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 12 Jan. 2026.
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