sputtered 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of sputterednext
as in shouted

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sputtered

2 of 2

verb

past tense of sputter
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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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of sputtered
Verb
The Bears lost Brown’s first four games as head coach by an average score of 27-11 while the offense sputtered to an average of 252 yards during that span. — Dan Wiederer, Chicago Tribune, 7 Jan. 2025 New England's offense has sputtered, and their defense hasn't been able to keep games competitive. — Dan Perry, Newsweek, 5 Jan. 2025

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“Sputtered.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sputtered. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.

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