Spluttering

The act of making a series of short, explosive sounds, or the state of doing so. This can describe the physical action of spitting or stammering, or the mechanical malfunction of an engine or electrical device, struggling to function smoothly. It suggests an uncontrolled release of energy, be it verbal or physical, often indicating nervousness, frustration, difficulty, or a lack of power. The intensity and nature of the spluttering can vary widely, from a gentle hiss to a violent burst, depending on the context.

Spluttering meaning with examples

• The old car started spluttering, its engine coughing and wheezing as if it were about to die. I desperately pumped the gas pedal, hoping to coax a little more life out of the stubborn machine before it completely stalled and left us stranded on the side of the road.
• He tried to explain, but nervousness caused his voice to start spluttering, words tumbling out in a jumbled mess. He stammered and stuttered, unable to form a coherent sentence as the pressure mounted and his anxiety took over, making it hard to get out what he meant.
• The faulty fluorescent light fixture was spluttering erratically, flickering on and off in a rhythmic, frustrating display. The erratic flashes cast ominous shadows on the wall, making it difficult to complete the project I was working on, which added more to the irritation.
• During the cooking competition, the contestant's oil pan began spluttering, sending hot oil in every direction. The unexpected outburst of hot oil nearly caught the chef in the crossfire, making him jump and leap away in fear.
• After being submerged in the water, the electronic device gave an occasional spluttering sound before it eventually lost all power. Despite my best effort to remove the device from the water, the device was eventually ruined by water damage.