sputters

6 definitions • 10 examples

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.

a quick explosive sound:

The engine wouldn't start - it gave one or two sputters but that was all.

The room is filled with the sputters, hisses and clicks from the medical machinery.

to make repeated explosive sounds:

[ I ] The plane’s engine began to sputter.

To sputter is also to speak in a way that is not clear, esp. because you are angry:

[ I ] He sputtered and flapped his hands in response.