sputter

Examples

• All

• Another engine broke the stillness, with a growing sputter.

  Fiction book (1998)

• We all paused when we heard the sputter from the campfire as the wood started to crackle.

• A few last sputters and the fit was over.

  Fiction book (2002)

• There's the cough and sputter of an outboard motor from outside.

  Fiction book (1992)

• I stood there in the cold air, thinking, listening to the faint and soothing lilt of water drops on the thin carpet underneath the air conditioner's sputter and grind, feeling the goosebumps.

  Fiction book (1999)

• The sputter of the engine signaled that it was about to break down.

Synonyms

R

rattling

vssputter

46 4.0

A series of short, sharp noises like something loose hitting

is similar but focuses on explosive splashing sounds rather than clatter

S

spatter

vssputter

41 5.5

A series of quick sounds made when small drops or pieces hit something

is used for a repeated series of explosive sounds rather than the action

S

sputtering

vssputter

7 6.2

Something that is not working well makes short, sharp popping sounds

is the same idea but presented as an ongoing action or process

S

splatter

vssputter

2 5.1

A sudden sharp sound made when liquid hits a surface

is about repeated explosive series of such noises rather than one hit

S

splutter

vssputter

1 7.7

Short, sharp popping sounds made by a machine, rain, or similar things

is used more broadly for sounds from engines or flames, not only malfunctions

S

splattering

vssputter

1 6.2

A sudden wet sound when liquid hits a hot pan or window

is the general term for a repeated series of explosive noises

S

spattering

vssputter

6.3

A quick burst of short, sharp sounds

is a repeated series rather than a single brief noise

Antonyms

S

silence

660 2.0

A period with no sound or speech

How Noisy

roar

142 1.0

sputter

1 5.3

to rattle

151 2.2

hum

85 1.0

to purr

6 3.5

Surface Forms

Etymology