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
Katie Rife, IndieWire, 9 Sep. 2025
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
Adam Solomons, IndieWire, 4 Sep. 2025
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
Verb
The difference there is that Keanu Reeves is unflappable, while Odenkirk has a sputtering quality to him that adds a comedic layer to his bloody lash-outs.
—Katie Rife, IndieWire, 9 Sep. 2025
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
His arrival home each night is announced by his sputtering motorcycle and his drunken stumbling up the stairs.
—Adam Solomons, IndieWire, 4 Sep. 2025
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sputtering
Verb
-
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
-
On day eight of his partial paralysis, Nini finally stopped drooling and could now walk gingerly.—
Tao Lin,
Harpers Magazine,
20 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
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
-
Ratajkowski appeared in the background of one photo, seemingly chatting with Butler.—
Charlotte Phillipp,
PEOPLE,
6 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Well, a slowdown in jobs growth implies a faltering economy, which has generally been bad for stocks.—
Yeo Boon Ping,
CNBC,
9 Sep. 2025
-
As prices are increasing, reliability is faltering.—
Brian Deese,
Foreign Affairs,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
After much chattering about the status of the Oscar winner’s seemingly clean-cut visage in the lead-up to the film’s premiere at the Venice Film Festival, once the camera (actually, four cameras) train themselves on Stone’s noggin during the film’s first act, there’s no doubt.—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
5 Sep. 2025
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This obviously includes scoring a reservation at Oreade, where Bacciottini turns to the land and tradition for the menu—and enjoying quiet mornings where breakfast looks out to Tuscany’s famous rolling hills, with birds and cicadas chattering in the background.—
Jenn Rice,
Forbes.com,
2 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
My connection often improved a few minutes later, but those drops could result in stuttering in games, hitches in streaming, and slow file downloads.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
3 Sep. 2025
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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
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
-
That Longhorns fan muttering about Nietzsche was right after all.—
Steven Louis Goldstein,
New York Times,
20 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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López Lizano spoke with a kind of halting formality, which charmed her.—
Jonathan Blitzer,
New Yorker,
8 Sep. 2025
-
At the New York facility, agents sealed the exits, halting production and corralling workers for questioning.—
Hanna Park,
CNN Money,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
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
-
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 14 Sep. 2025.
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