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
Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 14 Oct. 2024
At the same time China’s economy is sputtering, the U.S. is leaning into protectionism, imposing tariffs against Beijing on everything from electric vehicles, to batteries, to semiconductors and solar modules.
—Spencer Kimball, CNBC, 12 Aug. 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 
Verb
The Lynx’s offense sputtered for much of the contest in a 80-66 defeat in Game 2 of the WNBA Finals.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 14 Oct. 2024
At the same time China’s economy is sputtering, the U.S. is leaning into protectionism, imposing tariffs against Beijing on everything from electric vehicles, to batteries, to semiconductors and solar modules.
—Spencer Kimball, CNBC, 12 Aug. 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
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sputter.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near sputter
Cite this Entry
“Sputter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sputter. Accessed 30 Oct. 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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