stammered
Tripped over words
Stammered is the past tense of stammer, meaning to speak with involuntary pauses or repetitions, typically from nervousness, excitement, or a speech impediment: She stammered an apology.
Unlike a deliberate pause, stammering suggests loss of verbal control.
The word often appears in dialogue attribution to convey a character's emotional state: "I—I didn't mean to," he stammered.
Spoke with involuntary repetitions
- falteredLost momentum or confidence
- splutteredSpoke confusedly, with spraying
- sputteredSpoke in fragments
- stumbledLost balance while walking
halting · hesitant · broken · garbled · incoherent · disjointed · fragmented · choppy
Uneasy and apprehensive
- anxiousTroubled by uncertainty
- embarrassedSelf-consciously uncomfortable
- flusteredNervously upset and confused
- self-consciousUncomfortably aware of oneself
fearful · mortified · ashamed · apprehensive · timid · shy · insecure · vulnerable
Involuntary shaking motion
- sweatingMoisture through pores
- blushingFacial reddening from embarrassment
- fidgetingRestless minor movements
- shakingRapid involuntary movement
quivering · breathless · heart-pounding · palpitations · gulping · swallowing · gasping · choking
Admitted wrongdoing openly
- admittedConfessed or granted entry
- apologizedExpressed regret for offense
- protestedExpressed strong disagreement
- explainedMade something understandable
replied · answered · objected · interrupted · interjected · exclaimed · whispered · muttered
In an unsteady manner
- brokenlyIn a fractured manner
- nervouslyIn an anxious manner
- awkwardlyIn a clumsy manner
- uncertainlyIn a doubtful way
weakly · barely · finally · desperately · pathetically · incoherently · apologetically · fearfully
stuttered
Spoke with involuntary repetitions
- falteredLost momentum or confidence
- splutteredSpoke confusedly, with spraying
- sputteredSpoke in fragments
stumbled · halting · hesitant · broken · garbled · incoherent · disjointed · fragmented · choppy · repetitive
nervous
Uneasy and apprehensive
- anxiousTroubled by uncertainty
- embarrassedSelf-consciously uncomfortable
- flusteredNervously upset and confused
self-conscious · fearful · mortified · ashamed · apprehensive · timid · shy · insecure · vulnerable · overwhelmed
trembling
Involuntary shaking motion
- sweatingMoisture through pores
- blushingFacial reddening from embarrassment
- fidgetingRestless minor movements
shaking · quivering · breathless · heart-pounding · palpitations · gulping · swallowing · gasping · choking · flushed
confessed
Admitted wrongdoing openly
- admittedConfessed or granted entry
- apologizedExpressed regret for offense
- protestedExpressed strong disagreement
explained · replied · answered · objected · interrupted · interjected · exclaimed · whispered · muttered · pleaded
haltingly
In an unsteady manner
uncertainly · weakly · barely · finally · desperately · pathetically · incoherently · apologetically · fearfully · timidly