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
But for ordinary Americans, for those of us without fame, wealth, or connections, the machinery of justice often sputters.
—
Letters To The Editor, Hartford Courant, 28 May 2026
This will be a close game while the Eagles offense sputters against the Seahawks defense, and the offense hears a few boos in the second half.
—Zach Berman, New York Times, 15 May 2026
The arc of the season sputters between big and little problems in a haphazard manner, with strange side quests for Simon and Trevor that are more head-scratching than adventurous.
—Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 27 Jan. 2026
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
Letters To The Editor, Hartford Courant, 28 May 2026
This will be a close game while the Eagles offense sputters against the Seahawks defense, and the offense hears a few boos in the second half.
—Zach Berman, New York Times, 15 May 2026
The arc of the season sputters between big and little problems in a haphazard manner, with strange side quests for Simon and Trevor that are more head-scratching than adventurous.
—Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 27 Jan. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sputters
Verb
-
So shouts an unnamed (and slightly out-of-focus) soldier just as the helicopters land in the central battle sequence in Francis Ford Coppola’s Apocalypse Now.—
Jordan Hoffman,
Entertainment Weekly,
29 May 2026
-
There have been sometimes somebody shouts in protests.—
Dana Taylor,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Surprising melodic choices ride a chameleonic song structure that stutters and shrieks, bounces and raves with a fresh mix of Big Beat, UKG, breakbeats, and electro-pop sounds.—
Kat Bein,
SPIN,
21 May 2026
-
My heart and probably yours stutters.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
1 May 2026
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
-
Welcome to a Monday Nightcaps — the one where Paige Spiranac gears up for the PGA Championship with her mom and rattles America's cage.—
Zach Dean OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
11 May 2026
-
His comments come as consumer sentiment in the US continued to decline this month, hitting a record low as the ongoing closure of the Strait of Hormuz rattles global energy markets.—
Mustafa Qadri,
CNN Money,
8 May 2026
Verb
-
Esperanza speaks Spanish in a phone interview with NPR, while her 9-month-old baby coos and babbles in the background.—
Rhitu Chatterjee,
NPR,
17 May 2026
-
Race radio babbles away from the glove compartment, providing updates in Portuguese and English.—
Andy McGrath,
New York Times,
28 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
As Paula finally reaches Detective Gonzalez and excitedly chatters about her wire transfer ruse, the wry officer isn’t amused.—
Erin Qualey,
Vulture,
29 May 2026
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
-
The tool chats with job candidates, answers their questions about Chipotle, collects basic information, schedules interviews, and sends offer letters to candidates selected by hiring managers.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
2 June 2026
-
Over 150 episodes, Broski genially but insightfully chats with a wide range of guests, from fellow YouTubers to A-list talent.—
Randee Dawn,
Variety,
26 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sputters.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sputters. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
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