to stammer

Examples

• All

• I didn't say I was in love," she stammered, suddenly alarmed.

  Fiction book (1992)

• The nervous boy started to stammer while giving his presentation, causing his voice to tremble.

• My Lord, he said, stammering, let me serve you.

  Gregory B. Sadler - That Philosophy Guy

• "Nice village you've got here," I managed to stammer after a long moment.

  Fiction book (1991)

• "If you will excuse me," he stammered, trying to stand, trying to escape.

  Fiction book (1991)

• Closing the door behind her, she stammered out what she had seen and what it meant.

  Fiction book (1992)

• Behind tears she still couldn't prevent, she stammered, "I thought you weren't coming."

  Fiction book (1992)

• "Accusation?" Dinin stammered, barely able to get the word out of his suddenly dry mouth.

  Fiction book (1992)

• "Just what are you using now?" Perrin stammered, "It's a brand-new instrument... floated up out of the sea."

  Fiction book (1992)

• "Now, Cy, it isn't your leadership we're questioning," the director named Bill stammered, red-faced.

  Fiction book (1991)

Synonyms

S

to stutter

vsto stammer

57 4.9

To speak with difficulty by repeating sounds or pausing often

is similar but covers involuntary pauses or repetitions more generally

S

to splutter

vsto stammer

4 7.5

To speak in short, broken sounds when angry or shocked

is involuntary pauses or repetitions, not mainly explosive or spitting sounds

F

to falter

vsto stammer

4 5.4

To speak in a weak, broken voice because of strong feeling

is involuntary pauses or repetitions rather than general unsteady or unsure speech

H

to hem and haw

vsto stammer

• Informal

3 8.4

To speak slowly and pause instead of answering clearly because you feel unsure

is involuntary speech with pauses or repetitions that impair clarity

C

to choke out

vsto stammer

1 7.4

Say something with great difficulty because you feel upset or nervous

is involuntary pausing or repeating rather than a forced single utterance difficulty

S

to stumble over one's words

vsto stammer

• Informal

1 5.6

To speak with small pauses and mistakes because you are nervous

is involuntary repetition or pausing rather than simple mistakes or hesitations

C

to choke on one's words

vsto stammer

1 7.8

To stop speaking because you feel nervous, embarrassed, or upset

is a speech pattern of involuntary pauses or repeats, not only emotional silence

How Fluent

to speak

∞ 1.0

to hesitate

318 2.5

to falter

4 5.4

sputter

1 7.0

to stammer

26 4.8

Surface Forms

Etymology