sputtered
Talked in bursts
Sputtered is the past tense of sputter, meaning to make a series of soft explosive sounds, often while struggling to speak or function.
An engine sputters before dying.
A person sputters in outrage, producing fragmented speech: He sputtered objections but couldn't form a coherent argument.
Fire sputters, candles sputter, frying pans sputter—all irregular, fitful sounds.
Spoke with involuntary repetitions
- stutteredSpoke with involuntary repetitions
- blurtedUttered without restraint
- gaspedBreathed in sharply
- chokedHad airway blocked
faltered · mumbled · garbled · babbled · exclaimed · protested · objected · retorted
Shone unsteadily, intermittently
- fizzledFailed after promising start
- crackledMade brittle snapping sounds
- hissedMade sharp whispered sound
- smokedExposed to wood fumes
dimmed · guttered · died · extinguished · smoldered · flared · wavered · sparked
Stopped unexpectedly
- misfiredFailed to discharge properly
- coughedExpelled air spasmodically
- chokedHad airway blocked
- backfiredProduced unintended harmful consequences
idled · faltered · died · revved · cranked · overheated · flooded · seized
stammered
Spoke with involuntary repetitions
- stutteredSpoke with involuntary repetitions
- blurtedUttered without restraint
- gaspedBreathed in sharply
choked · faltered · mumbled · garbled · babbled · exclaimed · protested · objected · retorted · interrupted
flickered
Shone unsteadily, intermittently
- fizzledFailed after promising start
- crackledMade brittle snapping sounds
- hissedMade sharp whispered sound
smoked · dimmed · guttered · died · extinguished · smoldered · flared · wavered · sparked · glowed
stalled
Stopped unexpectedly
backfired · idled · faltered · died · revved · cranked · overheated · flooded · seized · rattled
fumed
Burned with silent anger
- ragedExpressed violent emotion
- protestedExpressed strong disagreement
- objectedExpressed disapproval formally
bristled · huffed · balked · exploded · erupted · ranted · blustered · flushed · reddened · glowered
sprayed
Emitted in fine drops
squirted · dribbled · spurted · frothed · bubbled · foamed · hissed · dripped · leaked · oozed
sputteredenunciated
Spoke with clear pronunciation
declared · pronounced · intoned · orated · recited
sputteredcontinued
Went on without stopping
flowed · persisted · sustained · kept going · carried on
- sputter outFail gradually, weakly
- sputtered outFailed in irregular bursts
- sputtering outEnding in fitful gasps