sputtering

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

But he lets Magaro’s simmering fragility be a real presence: the sputtering glow of someone afraid to be the protagonist of his own story.

From Los Angeles Times • May 1, 2026

Still, the oil market is sputtering, and prices are high, but not stratospheric — yet, said Michael Lynch, president of Strategic Energy & Economic Research, an energy-market consulting firm.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 30, 2026

But what’s extra notable about the sputtering tech partnerships of the 2020s is how baldly they smack of desperation.

From Slate • Apr. 16, 2026

While flagging inflation risks from the Middle East conflict, the central bank also emphasized that the economy is sputtering and having difficulty absorbing excess slack.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 18, 2026

Little embers sparked and burned, falling onto the pavement and sputtering like a blown-out candle.

From "Aru Shah and the End of Time" by Roshani Chokshi