SPUTTER Synonyms: 40 Similar and Opposite Words

sputter

verb

ˈspə-tər

Definition of sputter

as in to drool

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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Example Sentences

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 sputter Yet, when the rest of the team’s offense sputtered for long stretches, Ohtani’s inability to rescue his team at the plate was even more pronounced. — Andrew Greif, NBC news, 16 Oct. 2026 The Broncos got the ball back after Herbert came up short on fourth-and-1, and the Chargers sputtered the rest of the way. — CBS News, 11 Oct. 2026 Instead, the ensuing spree sputters from one encounter to the next, leaving you with a choppy number that should go bigger and end sooner. — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 8 Oct. 2026 The real concerns came on offense, where the Trojans uncharacteristically sputtered. — Los Angeles Times, 4 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sputter

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sputter

Verb

Mix these finds into your work wardrobe or your off-duty ensembles—they’re versatile enough to do it all, and the festive palette is worth drooling over.

— Jake Henry Smith, Glamour, 7 Oct. 2026
There was one of Melissa Gorga’s sprinkle cookies ground into the carpet, and there was Kelsey Swanson, passed out under the piano and drooling on the parquet.

— Brian Moylan, Vulture, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of drool

Verb

Hollywell nods in agreement, and shouts out all the graffiti artists and other creatives who are still nearby.

— Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 21 Oct. 2026
While one fan shouts criticism at an official’s call at Mira Costa High, Grandma and Grandpa Reis calmly and confidently root for their grandsons, Christian, a running back, and Weston, a linebacker.

— Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of shout

Verb

Together the duo enjoy scaring themselves into a teeth-chattering but delightful evening.

— Liz Rosenberg, The Conversation, 23 Oct. 2026
In the novel, likewise, the narrator assumes an almost Homeric guise, comparing current harbor gossip to chatter from the Phoenician, Cretan, Greek, and Roman eras.

— Alex Ross, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of chatter

Verb

So the two started chatting and wondered if there was a resource where they could get connected to couples having a wedding in their area who needed a seat-filler of sorts.

— Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2026
The petition, the group chat coordinating the town hall, the livestream of the council vote—all of it runs through the buildings being protested.

— Zev Laine, Forbes.com, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of chat

Verb

But when the disheveled, withdrawn ex-friend shows up in the locker room gibbering about an evil spirit, Sam is mortified, impulsively knocking to the ground the grungy-looking Mason jar that Tamira has been carrying around.

— Dennis Harvey, Variety, 18 Sep. 2023
For a while, police interest bent toward a Phud who had been warned he might be eliminated from the program, who had seemed almost exultant about the fire and gibbered gleefully about the media spotlight.

— New York Times, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2018

Definition of gibber

Verb

So far, these productions have largely escaped disruption, but the riots have rattled film crews and prompted warnings from Hollywood studios’ security departments.

— Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 23 Oct. 2026
Sound quality is also good, with ultra-deep bass rattling your brain on songs that feature it.

— K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of rattle

Verb

When Nick went to present his first big case to clients and the board, he was paralyzed by stuttering, and the firm hired a vocal coach who taught him to sing through the stammer, hence the moniker.

— Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 23 Oct. 2026
Set beneath a gorgeous sun at what may either be dawn or dusk, this sea occasionally stutters and reverses before continuing to roll all over again.

— Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of stutter

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sputa

sputter

sputtered

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“Sputter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sputter. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of sputter

verb

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