to sputter
15
4.6
- verb
- /ˈspʌtər/
:
chisporrotear
- Two years trying to bring this thing to life... and then one day, it sputtered, coughed and died.
Examples
-
When the cat's motor turned off, it sputtered a minute before it died.
Fiction book (1992) -
In a few minutes, the blowtorch was sputtering and surging, humming out a feathery yellow flame.
Fiction book (1997) -
I begin to fall, the generator on top of me, sputtering and hot.
Fiction book (1994) -
When your car runs out of gas, it just sputters and lurches to an embarrassing stop.
Academic text (1996) -
Without replenishment from the sea, it would sputter to a halt far short of Sharm.
Fiction book (1993) -
In the fall of 1939, it shook and sputtered and finally lifted off the ground in a controlled flight.
Academic text (2003) -
So here is one that warmed up, didn't get quite as warm as it should have, sputtered out and quit.
-
A severed power cable sputters in the creature's damaged chest, but nothing happens.
Fiction book (1990) -
I know the flap and creaking of sail, the groan of oar, and the sputtering fury of steam.
Fiction book (1996) -
When the engine runs low on fuel, it often sputters before finally coming to a stop.
Synonyms
33
2.8
To make short, sharp popping sounds
Antonyms
How Smooth
Surface Forms
Etymology
Sputter comes from words for 'spit' and 'spatter' because it copies small popping sounds. That is why engines or flames sputter when they run unevenly or are about to go out.