stutters
Trips over words
Stutters is the third-person singular form of the verb stutter, which describes a speech pattern marked by involuntary repetition or prolongation of sounds, syllables, or words.
He stutters when he's nervous.
The word extends to mechanical contexts where something operates in fits and starts rather than smoothly: The engine stutters before finally dying.
As a noun, stutters are individual instances of this halting speech or action.
Lose momentum or steadiness
- stumbleLose footing momentarily
- pauseTemporary cessation of activity
- haltComplete sudden stop
- hesitatePause in uncertainty
waver · fumble · tongue-tied · word-finding · block · catch · stop-start · struggle
Involuntary speech repetition
- dysfluencyDisrupted speech pattern
- fluencySmooth linguistic command
- impedimentThing that obstructs progress
- articulationClear vocal expression
blocking · repetition · prolongation · intervention · communication · phonation · vocalization · enunciation
Act of redoing
- syllableUnit of pronunciation
- soundAudible wave phenomenon
- wordLinguistic meaning unit
- phraseWords forming partial meaning
prolongation · blocking · loop · restart · iteration · echo · reiterate · broken
Shake from fear
- fidgetRestless small movements
- tensionStretched or strained state
- palpitationsAwareness of abnormal heartbeat
- sweatingMoisture through pores
Persistent apprehensive distress
- embarrassmentSelf-conscious unease
- self-consciousUncomfortably aware of oneself
- shamePainful awareness of failure
- frustrationDispleasure from blocked efforts
fear · insecurity · humiliation · vulnerability · avoidance · mortification · discomfort · distress
falter
Lose momentum or steadiness
hesitate · waver · fumble · tongue-tied · word-finding · block · catch · stop-start · struggle
stammering
Involuntary speech repetition
- dysfluencyDisrupted speech pattern
- fluencySmooth linguistic command
- impedimentThing that obstructs progress
articulation · blocking · repetition · prolongation · intervention · communication · phonation · vocalization · enunciation · utterance
repetition
Act of redoing
phrase · prolongation · blocking · loop · restart · iteration · echo · reiterate · broken · fragmented
tremble
Shake from fear
- fidgetRestless small movements
- tensionStretched or strained state
- palpitationsAwareness of abnormal heartbeat
anxiety
Persistent apprehensive distress
- embarrassmentSelf-conscious unease
- self-consciousUncomfortably aware of oneself
- shamePainful awareness of failure
frustration · fear · insecurity · humiliation · vulnerability · avoidance · mortification · discomfort · distress · awkwardness