sputtered; sputtering; sputters
1
: to spit or squirt from the mouth with explosive sounds
2
: to utter hastily or explosively in confusion or excitement
"that's ridiculous!" she sputtered
3
: to dislodge (atoms) from the surface of a material by collision with high energy particles
also
: to deposit (a metallic film) by such a process
1
: to spit or squirt particles of food or saliva noisily from the mouth
2
: to speak explosively or confusedly in anger or excitement
3
: to make explosive popping sounds
sputterer
noun
1
: confused and excited speech or discussion
2
: the act or sound of sputtering
Synonyms
Examples of sputter in a Sentence
Verb
The motor sputtered and died.
He was sputtering with rage.
She sputtered an angry protest.
“You, you have to be kidding!” he sputtered.
Recent Examples on the Web
Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024
Cleveland led by 19 after the first quarter and the game was never close after that, the Lakers sputtering badly on both ends of the court.
—Dan Woike, Los Angeles Times, 31 Oct. 2024
Vincent Frank, Forbes, 12 Oct. 2024
Tóth is sustained by the momentum of the build, but feels the past nipping at his heels whenever construction sputters to a halt.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 1 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for sputter 
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of
Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback
about these examples.
Verb
But over the course of the Biden years, the movements around racial issues like affirmative action and DEI sputtered.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024
Cleveland led by 19 after the first quarter and the game was never close after that, the Lakers sputtering badly on both ends of the court.
—Dan Woike, Los Angeles Times, 31 Oct. 2024
Noun
Could this potentially lead to Fields getting the hook should the Steelers’ offense sputter out of the gate on Sunday?
—Vincent Frank, Forbes, 12 Oct. 2024
Tóth is sustained by the momentum of the build, but feels the past nipping at his heels whenever construction sputters to a halt.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 1 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for sputter
Dictionary Entries Near sputter
Cite this Entry
“Sputter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sputter. Accessed 16 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
sputter
1 of 2 verb
sput·ter
ˈspət-ər 
1
: to spit or squirt pieces of food or saliva noisily from the mouth
2
: to speak or utter hastily or explosively in confusion or excitement
sputtered out protests
3
: to make explosive popping sounds
the motor sputtered and died
sputterer
noun
-ər-ər
sputter
2 of 2 noun
: the act or sound of sputtering
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share