intransitive/transitive to speak or say something in a confused way, often while taking short quick breaths, for example because you are shocked or angry
Synonyms and related words
To talk in a way that is difficult to understand
mumble
babble
gibber
2
intransitive if an engine sputters, it makes noises like small explosions and seems likely to stop
Synonyms and related words
Engine and machine behaviour
backfire
burn up
come to life
3
intransitive if an activity sputters, it continues with difficulty and seems likely to stop
Synonyms and related words
To fail, or to stop being successful
fail
founder
languish
sputter
verb
US /ˈspʌtər/
Word Forms
present tense
I/you/we/they
sputter
he/she/it
sputters
present participle
sputtering
past tense
sputtered
past participle
sputtered
DEFINITIONS3
1
intransitive/transitive to speak or say something in a confused way, often while taking short quick breaths, for example because you are shocked or angry
Synonyms and related words
To talk in a way that is difficult to understand
mumble
babble
gibber
2
intransitive if an engine sputters, it makes noises like small explosions and seems likely to stop
Synonyms and related words
Engine and machine behavior
backfire
burn up
come to life
3
intransitive if an activity sputters, it continues with difficulty and seems likely to stop