splutter

Peaks stretch far into the distance and the volunteer delivery vans lumber and splutter over orange dirt roads, passing vertiginous drops.

From BBC ● Sep. 12, 2023

Some of those waiting in line stayed behind to splutter indignantly and argue their case, to no avail.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 18, 2023

Years of record-low rates have fuelled the tech stock rally but with those rates now rising again the appeal of stratospherically-valued tech stocks gets dimmer for investors, especially if their growth trajectories splutter.

From Reuters ● Feb. 21, 2022

In 2004, when Mount St. Helens began to cough and splutter in a concerning manner, Dr. Moran became wrapped up in a surfeit of tasks.

From New York Times ● Nov. 9, 2021

Then all at once, Tweedie gave a great cough and a splutter and he sat up very fast and began clawing at his face with his hands.

From "Boy: Tales of a Childhood" by Roald Dahl

A third splutters in a bathtub covered in dusky handprints.

From New York Times ● Jun. 29, 2023

“Words,” Jeffrey splutters to Khristen, “have enabled us to get no nearer to …” Then he trails off, stunned into silence by the inability of narrative to reckon with the world.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 7, 2021

But put his own words into his mouth and he splutters and stalls like an old banger cranking up in a deep chill.

From The Guardian ● Feb. 16, 2019

"Pops? I am only two years older than you," splutters Paterson.

From BBC ● Sep. 23, 2016

Mom splutters something, and it's the man who answers. "... reports of lights on late at night... the missing boy's room."

From "Things Not Seen" by Andrew Clements

But while Arsenal have spluttered with two wins from their last seven league games, City are heating up at just the right time.

From Barron's ● Feb. 21, 2026

Since no one knew who was watching what and when, watercooler chat and even many recap blogs spluttered out.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 11, 2025

The Gunners looked every inch a team without a recognised main forward as they laboured and spluttered to break down Leicester City's game but limited resistance at King Power Stadium.

From BBC ● Feb. 15, 2025

Wyman hoped the local population would take proud ownership of the bee in order to protect it, too, but the conversations tailed off, the momentum spluttered, he says.

From Salon ● Mar. 31, 2022

Vitellius spluttered with outrage as he was dragged off to the praetor’s table.

From "The Son of Neptune" by Rick Riordan

Guardiola's side delivered an spluttering display featuring several squandered chances as they allowed Arsenal to take control of the Premier League title race.

From Barron's ● Jan. 1, 2026

But in their first game of 2026 they delivered a spluttering display that left them four points adrift of the Gunners.

From Barron's ● Jan. 1, 2026

Chances are you know someone coughing and spluttering - hopefully not directly on you - right now.

From BBC ● Oct. 2, 2025

Members of the baby boom generation have been spluttering about “those damn kids” for years — even as they wipe their eyes after watching “Rebel Without a Cause” for the 157th time.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 3, 2024

I scrabble back from him, coughing and spluttering, but he stays there, sinking a little, not moving.

From "The Knife of Never Letting Go" by Patrick Ness