as in to drool
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 sputter
Healey’s top budget writer did not say whether the administration planned to ask the Legislature to consider the exact same proposal from last session — which ultimately sputtered out — or if the policy proposal would change.
—
Chris Van Buskirk, Boston Herald, 23 Jan. 2025
Big tech stocks that propped up the S&P 500 in 2024 have sputtered this year.
—John Towfighi, CNN, 18 Mar. 2025
Then Saturday, Columbus sputtered to a disappointing (and boring) scoreless draw at home against the Houston Dynamo, one of the weakest MLS teams.
—Andrew King, Axios, 11 Mar. 2025
In Brunson’s first game out after spraining his right ankle against the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday, the Knicks predictably sputtered in their late-game offense and failed to reach the century mark in a 105-95 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday.
—Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 8 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sputter
Chris Van Buskirk, Boston Herald, 23 Jan. 2025
Big tech stocks that propped up the S&P 500 in 2024 have sputtered this year.
—John Towfighi, CNN, 18 Mar. 2025
Then Saturday, Columbus sputtered to a disappointing (and boring) scoreless draw at home against the Houston Dynamo, one of the weakest MLS teams.
—Andrew King, Axios, 11 Mar. 2025
In Brunson’s first game out after spraining his right ankle against the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday, the Knicks predictably sputtered in their late-game offense and failed to reach the century mark in a 105-95 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday.
—Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 8 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sputter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sputter
Verb
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There’s a reason scouts once drooled over Williams’ potential.—
C.J. Holmes,
New York Daily News,
8 Mar. 2025
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Symptoms from scorpion stings — such as burning at the sting site, drooling.—
Rick Sobey,
Boston Herald,
3 Mar. 2025
Verb
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By the time the chorus rolled around, the commuters were in full voice, shouting along (and filming the whole thing for posterity), as Fallon banged on a tambourine.—
Gil Kaufman,
Billboard,
9 Apr. 2025
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Others recalled him having stand-up rows, shouting, swearing, and jabbing his finger in the direction of co-workers.—
Jake Kanter,
Deadline,
9 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Nevertheless, the animals’ recurring presence throughout the season visualizes the chattering, anxious feeling that governs the existential turmoil endured by many of the souls haunting the Thai White Lotus resort.—
Nicholas Quah,
Vulture,
7 Apr. 2025
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As Melissa chatters away about her dreams, Shauna’s mind wanders.—
Esther Zuckerman,
New York Times,
28 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Victoria barely muttered a word to Kate, who approached the Ratliffs during a meal, making the exchange extra awkward.—
Alli Rosenbloom,
CNN Money,
5 Apr. 2025
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Gray muttered at a moderator, pointing at the placard on the postgame table that proudly displayed his name: Hayden Gray.—
Luca Evans,
The Denver Post,
21 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Or if, in the case of Bumble’s Concierge service, two bots are chatting with each other while each person goes about their day, how will daters know if there is actually a connection based on who each of them really is?—
Myisha Battle,
Time,
28 Mar. 2025
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Fest latest: Glasgow Film Festival industry boss Samantha Andie Bennett chatted with Diana about a busy year.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
28 Mar. 2025
Verb
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But when the disheveled, withdrawn ex-friend shows up in the locker room gibbering about an evil spirit, Sam is mortified, impulsively knocking to the ground the grungy-looking Mason jar that Tamira has been carrying around.—
Dennis Harvey,
Variety,
18 Sep. 2023
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For a while, police interest bent toward a Phud who had been warned he might be eliminated from the program, who had seemed almost exultant about the fire and gibbered gleefully about the media spotlight.—
New York Times,
New York Times,
13 Apr. 2018
Verb
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Read More: Detentions of Tourists and Visa-Holders Fuel Anxiety About Travel to U.S. Neighbors said they were left rattled by the arrest, which played out at 5:30 p.m. on a residential block.—
JAKE OFFENHARTZ,
Time,
26 Mar. 2025
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Shifting government policies are adversely impacting business, rattling financial markets, and disrupting supply chains.—
Mark A. Cohen,
Forbes,
24 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Even once Tonali had restored Newcastle’s advantage, the home side still stuttered to victory.—
Chris Waugh,
New York Times,
3 Apr. 2025
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Marsden stuttered as Gonzalez put a hand to her heart.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
26 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sputter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sputter. Accessed 15 Apr. 2025.
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