sputtery
Coughing and stalling
Sputtery describes something that sputters—making irregular, popping sounds or producing in fits and starts.
A sputtery engine coughs and misfires.
A sputtery candle flickers unevenly.
Speech can be sputtery when someone struggles to get words out: His sputtery objections failed to convince anyone.
The word suggests inconsistency and lack of smooth flow.
Failure to discharge
- spark plugElectrical ignition component
- ignitionStarting combustion process
- carburetorEngine fuel-air mixer
- idleWithout activity or purpose
rough · choke · fuel line · distributor · cylinder · compression · knocking · tune-up
Cured meat snack
- sporadicOccurring irregularly, infrequently
- intermittentOccurring at irregular intervals
- unevenNot smooth or balanced
- choppyBroken into waves
fitful · spasmodic · unsteady · stuttering · flickering · skipping · staccato · hiccupping
Wax stick with wick
- flickeringShining unsteadily, intermittently
- gutteringRoof-edge water channels
- dyingCeasing to live
- waveringShowing unsteady resolve
smoky · wick · oil lamp · torch · spitting · hissing · flaring · smoldering
Involuntary speech repetition
- haltingMarked by hesitation
- indignantAngered by unfairness
- flusteredNervously upset and confused
- incoherentLacking logical connection
breathless · exclaiming · protesting · outburst · garbled · choking · gasping · babbling
misfire
Failure to discharge
- spark plugElectrical ignition component
- ignitionStarting combustion process
- carburetorEngine fuel-air mixer
idle · rough · choke · fuel line · distributor · cylinder · compression · knocking · tune-up · stalling
jerky
Cured meat snack
- sporadicOccurring irregularly, infrequently
- intermittentOccurring at irregular intervals
- unevenNot smooth or balanced
choppy · fitful · spasmodic · unsteady · stuttering · flickering · skipping · staccato · hiccupping · halting
candle
Wax stick with wick
- flickeringShining unsteadily, intermittently
- gutteringRoof-edge water channels
- dyingCeasing to live
wavering · smoky · wick · oil lamp · torch · spitting · hissing · flaring · smoldering · fizzling
stammering
Involuntary speech repetition
incoherent · breathless · exclaiming · protesting · outburst · garbled · choking · gasping · babbling · blurting
sputteryfluent
Speaking smoothly, effortlessly
eloquent · smooth · flowing · articulate · silver-tongued
sputterysteady
Fixed, not fluctuating
even · consistent · regular · continuous · uninterrupted
- sputter outFail gradually, weakly
- sputtered outFailed in irregular bursts
- sputtering outEnding in fitful gasps