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
Ryan Gaydos, Fox News, 27 Oct. 2024
People are also reading:Here's why banks are regretting loans to Elon Musk as X continues to sputter
LIST: World's richest men
Billionaires' net worths change every day due to fluctuations in the stock market.
—Alexis Simmerman, Austin American-Statesman, 18 Sep. 2024
Neil Winton, Forbes, 27 Nov. 2024
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
See all Example Sentences for sputter 
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Verb
But the offense sputtered and turned the ball over on downs on its next drive.
—Ryan Gaydos, Fox News, 27 Oct. 2024
People are also reading:Here's why banks are regretting loans to Elon Musk as X continues to sputter
LIST: World's richest men
Billionaires' net worths change every day due to fluctuations in the stock market.
—Alexis Simmerman, Austin American-Statesman, 18 Sep. 2024
Noun
Profits are being squeezed as the European economy sputters and sales stagnate, particularly in the most important market, Germany.
—Neil Winton, Forbes, 27 Nov. 2024
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
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 25 Dec. 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
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