as in shouts
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 sputters
That's why, for weeks, Browns fans, analysts, and even local radio hosts have pressed Cleveland to give Sanders more playing time as the offense sputters under Dillon Gabriel.
—
Rowan Fisher-Shotton, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Nov. 2025
And can Justin Herbert rev up an offense that sputters in the red zone while likely missing LT Joe Alt to an ankle injury?
—Greg Cote
october 2, Miami Herald, 2 Oct. 2025
But where Cinema Slasher shines, Chilling Chambers sputters.
—Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 19 Sep. 2025
Daboll says Wilson will get another start Sunday in Dallas, but if the offense sputters again, don’t be surprised if rookie Jaxson Dart gets the call.
—Andy Scholes, CNN Money, 11 Sep. 2025
While the climax sputters a bit, the rest is taut and engrossing.
—Randy Myers, Mercury News, 7 Aug. 2025
Rowan Fisher-Shotton, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Nov. 2025
And can Justin Herbert rev up an offense that sputters in the red zone while likely missing LT Joe Alt to an ankle injury?
—Greg Cote
october 2, Miami Herald, 2 Oct. 2025
But where Cinema Slasher shines, Chilling Chambers sputters.
—Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 19 Sep. 2025
Daboll says Wilson will get another start Sunday in Dallas, but if the offense sputters again, don’t be surprised if rookie Jaxson Dart gets the call.
—Andy Scholes, CNN Money, 11 Sep. 2025
While the climax sputters a bit, the rest is taut and engrossing.
—Randy Myers, Mercury News, 7 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sputters
Verb
-
Hilliker shouts as her family applauds them.—
Ashlyn Robinette,
PEOPLE,
31 Dec. 2025
-
Eilish shouts from the open window.—
Gil Kaufman,
Billboard,
10 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
It's got 8GB RAM, which ensures multitasking never stutters, and its 13-inch Liquid Retina display is just exquisite to look at.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
22 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Your dad mutters for head movement, for cage cutting, for not playing off the back and creating distance.—
Matthew Shen Goodman,
Harpers Magazine,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
His return rattles a household that has learned how to function without him, especially his wife Astoria, played with quiet resolve by Simone Missick.—
Okla Jones,
Essence,
14 Dec. 2025
-
Advertisement The tragedy that befalls Robert rattles his faith in everything.—
Stephanie Zacharek,
Time,
21 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The father, Man, prattles on about mowing the lawn, painting the fence, and managing their orchard’s irrigation, while the son periodically falls off his chair from boredom.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
12 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Host Mary Louise Kelly chats with national security correspondent Greg Myre and books and culture reporter Andrew Limbong about some of their favorite books and authors in the world of espionage fiction.—
December 29,
NPR,
29 Dec. 2025
-
Jason Bateman chats with David Letterman at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles for a new episode of My Next Guest Needs No Introduction.—
Escher Walcott,
PEOPLE,
21 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
From the first moment, the vibe is off, as Brady looks earnestly at Rooney, the England legend mumbles and gives vague answers.—
Zak Garner-Purkis,
Forbes.com,
30 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sputters.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sputters. Accessed 17 Jan. 2026.
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