sputtering

4 definitions • 6 examples

present participle of

to make several quick explosive sounds:

The car sputtered once or twice and then stopped.

Witnesses reported hearing engines sputtering before the plane crashed.

to say something in a series of quick explosive sounds, especially when you are shocked or angry:

"This is New York!" sputters an exasperated Ray.

He heard Debbie sputter a shocked insult.

If an activity sputters, it continues weakly, and does not make people feel confident about it:

Russia's presidential campaign sputtered to an uneasy close on Monday.

Health costs are rising while the economy is sputtering.