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.

China’s economy has been sputtering for a years, with consumers especially reluctant to spend, hurting some of those companies.

From Barron's • May 31, 2026

The British economy has been sputtering for the past year.

From New York Times • Aug. 11, 2023

The danger poses another headwind for a world economy that has been sputtering toward a recession.

From New York Times • Dec. 3, 2022

We’ve got one of the fastest players in the league and oiur offense has been sputtering.

From Washington Times • Mar. 31, 2018

He has been sputtering and nagging for a dozen pages to swing off the front platform of the first passenger car that came to town.

From In the Heart of a Fool by White, William Allen