splutter

1 of 2

noun

splut·​ter ˈsplə-tər How to pronounce splutter (audio)
Synonyms of splutternext
1
: a confused noise (as of hasty speaking)
2
: a splashing or sputtering sound

splutter

2 of 2

verb

spluttered; spluttering; splutters

transitive verb

: to utter hastily or confusedly : stammer

intransitive verb

1
: to make a noise as if spitting
2
: to speak hastily and confusedly
splutterer
ˈsplə-tər-ər How to pronounce splutter (audio)
noun

Examples of splutter in a Sentence

Verb She coughed and spluttered as she climbed out of the icy water. When I demanded an explanation, he just stood there spluttering. “Th-that's simply not true,” he spluttered.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Noun
No doubt this debate will rage, or splutter, for years to come. — Anthony Lane, The New Yorker, 13 Mar. 2017 The end of year push was looking good until the latest service splutter. — Tim Ellis, Forbes, 12 Oct. 2024
Verb
If the focus fell on the spluttering attack, what about the defence? — James Horncastle, New York Times, 24 June 2026 Since no one knew who was watching what and when, watercooler chat and even many recap blogs spluttered out. — Los Angeles Times, 11 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for splutter

Word History

Etymology

Noun

probably alteration of sputter

First Known Use

Noun

1677, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1693, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of splutter was in 1677

Rhymes for splutter

See All Rhymes for splutter

Browse Nearby Words

splurt
splutter
splutterer
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Splutter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/splutter. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

splutter

1 of 2 noun
splut·​ter ˈsplət-ər How to pronounce splutter (audio)
1
: a confused noise (as of trying to talk too fast)
2
: a splashing or sputtering sound

splutter

2 of 2 verb
1
: to make a noise as if spitting
2
: to speak or say in haste or confusion

More from Merriam-Webster on splutter

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for splutter

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
hangman letters and game
Hangman Lightning Round Figure out which word fits in the blanks.
See All