have been sputtering
- present perfect progressive of sputter.
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.
The negotiations, which could have sweeping ramifications for the finances of global businesses, have been sputtering along for much of the last decade and are entering what officials hope to be the final stretch.
From New York Times ● Jul. 9, 2021
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
