Meaning & use
Sputter
Last updated
To make a series of soft popping or spitting sounds, especially when malfunctioning; or to speak quickly and unclearly out of surprise or anger.
See it in a sentence
The old engine began to sputter before finally stalling out.
She could only sputter a confused apology after the mix-up.
A note on using this word
Often used of engines, candles, or fires losing power, as well as of flustered speech.
Words with a similar meaning
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