as in drooling
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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as in muttering
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Recent Examples of sputtering
James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Aug. 2025
On an early episode of the show, Friedland opens with a wry, sputtering monologue.
—Brady Brickner-Wood, New Yorker, 13 Aug. 2025
Teri Sforza, Oc Register, 29 Aug. 2025
While the economy’s growth in the second quarter can be mostly attributed to trade swings and consumers, a look under the hood shows that underlying momentum is sputtering.
—Bryan Mena, CNN Money, 28 Aug. 2025
But if the reform process lags and if Bangladesh's sputtering economy doesn't improve, the public's patience could start to wear thin for an administration that for now enjoys ample support.
—Michael Kugelman, NPR, 21 Dec. 2024
Those reports have unnerved British officials, who fear the tariffs could throttle the country’s already sputtering economic growth.
—Mark Landler, New York Times, 20 Dec. 2024
The Chinese economy is sputtering and the government is working on a stimulus package to boost the economy.
—Pamela N. Danziger, Forbes, 18 Oct. 2024
With the Mets offense still sputtering and the bullpen taxed, Dodgers phenom Ohtani added insult to injury in the eighth inning.
—Jacob Lev, CNN, 17 Oct. 2024
The fact that the Chargers have kept games close despite their sputtering offense is a testament to the defensive makeover under first-year coordinator Jesse Minter.
—Thuc Nhi Nguyen, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2024
Kushner heaps flashback upon flashback; minor characters flare promisingly to life—a creepy uncle of Lucien’s, a disgruntled ex-Moulinard—before sputtering out, victims of their own inconsequence.
—Alexandra Schwartz, The New Yorker, 7 Oct. 2024
Verb
Porous defense and sputtering rushing attacks.
—James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Aug. 2025
On an early episode of the show, Friedland opens with a wry, sputtering monologue.
—Brady Brickner-Wood, New Yorker, 13 Aug. 2025
Adjective
That this continues after years of California officials proposing law after law to rein in the industry leaves this scribe, and many others, sputtering with rage.
—Teri Sforza, Oc Register, 29 Aug. 2025
While the economy’s growth in the second quarter can be mostly attributed to trade swings and consumers, a look under the hood shows that underlying momentum is sputtering.
—Bryan Mena, CNN Money, 28 Aug. 2025
But if the reform process lags and if Bangladesh's sputtering economy doesn't improve, the public's patience could start to wear thin for an administration that for now enjoys ample support.
—Michael Kugelman, NPR, 21 Dec. 2024
Those reports have unnerved British officials, who fear the tariffs could throttle the country’s already sputtering economic growth.
—Mark Landler, New York Times, 20 Dec. 2024
The Chinese economy is sputtering and the government is working on a stimulus package to boost the economy.
—Pamela N. Danziger, Forbes, 18 Oct. 2024
With the Mets offense still sputtering and the bullpen taxed, Dodgers phenom Ohtani added insult to injury in the eighth inning.
—Jacob Lev, CNN, 17 Oct. 2024
The fact that the Chargers have kept games close despite their sputtering offense is a testament to the defensive makeover under first-year coordinator Jesse Minter.
—Thuc Nhi Nguyen, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2024
Kushner heaps flashback upon flashback; minor characters flare promisingly to life—a creepy uncle of Lucien’s, a disgruntled ex-Moulinard—before sputtering out, victims of their own inconsequence.
—Alexandra Schwartz, The New Yorker, 7 Oct. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sputtering
Verb
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Symptoms may begin within minutes, which include heavy drooling—especially in cats—and redness on the skin and in or around the mouth.—
Liz O'Connell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Aug. 2025
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On day eight of his partial paralysis, Nini finally stopped drooling and could now walk gingerly.—
Tao Lin,
Harpers Magazine,
20 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The unusual love story began when Wika started chatting with Kasper, an AI designed to simulate human conversation and companionship.—
Staff,
FOXNews.com,
6 Sep. 2025
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Ratajkowski appeared in the background of one photo, seemingly chatting with Butler.—
Charlotte Phillipp,
PEOPLE,
6 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The deliberate display of unity is a pointed rebuke to Trump’s faltering attempt to end Russia’s war in Ukraine – and an open challenge to America’s waning global leadership under the US president.—
Brad Lendon,
CNN Money,
3 Sep. 2025
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In a market where subscriber fatigue is real and traditional playbooks are faltering, agility may count more than size.—
Jason Wingard,
Forbes.com,
29 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The Amazon murmurs with ancient breath—its vast canopy alive with chattering macaws, shimmering tree frogs, and pink river dolphins.—
Lewis Nunn,
Forbes.com,
14 Aug. 2025
Verb
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There are at least some promising signs on the field, despite a stuttering start results wise, the ongoing transfer issues, and one lingering saga.—
James Nalton,
Forbes.com,
25 Aug. 2025
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Fellow disciple Shen Gongbao, a stuttering leopard turned immortal, was upset that he had been passed over for the opportunity and orchestrated a switcheroo.—
Jennifer Zhan,
Vulture,
22 Aug. 2025
Verb
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He was also heard muttering expletives down the stretch, visibly battling the heat and pressure.—
Devlina Sarkar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 Aug. 2025
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That Longhorns fan muttering about Nietzsche was right after all.—
Steven Louis Goldstein,
New York Times,
20 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The Health and Human Services secretary’s halting delivery was frequently interrupted by senators anxious to get their points across during their five minutes of allotted time.—
Sandee LaMotte,
CNN Money,
4 Sep. 2025
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District Judge Sparkle Sooknanan's order halting deportation of the children applies for 14 days while the case is pending.—
Sofia Menchu,
USA Today,
2 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Kuching, the capital of Sarawak on the island of Borneo, isn't shouting about its commitment to sustainability.—
Christopher Elliott,
Forbes.com,
6 Sep. 2025
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Then, Suarez moved to another part of the field, where he is seen shouting, stepping on the foot of Sounders head of security Gene Ramirez and spitting on him.—
Michelle Kaufman,
Miami Herald,
2 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sputtering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sputtering. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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