sputter
verb (used without object)
to make explosive popping or sizzling sounds.
have been sputtering
-
present perfect progressiveof sputter.present perfect progressive
Used to describe an action that began in the past, has continued continuously, and is still in progress.
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 other parts of its core business have been sputtering.
From New York Times ● Apr. 24, 2018
The Giants have been sputtering without leadoff hitter Angel Pagan.
From Washington Times ● Jul. 3, 2014
West Virginia: The Mountaineers have been sputtering since beating Georgetown on Jan. 7.
From Washington Post ● Feb. 24, 2012
Instead, it seems designed simply to boost Cuba’s economic productivity in small-scale enterprises and thus loosen up a state-run economy and work force that have been sputtering for more than a decade.
From New York Times ● Sep. 18, 2010
For a fortnight, French newspapers and art journals have been sputtering with rage.
From Time Magazine Archive
