was sputtering
- past 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.
But 565 million years ago, the field was sputtering, dropping to 10% of today’s strength, according to a recent discovery.
From Science Magazine ● Mar. 30, 2022
Not the way their offense was sputtering, completely unable to counter what Miami was doing.
From Seattle Times ● Nov. 12, 2021
The power play was struggling, the offense was sputtering, and the defense lacked stability.
From Washington Post ● Aug. 3, 2020
Just a few years ago, Sony was sputtering and Warner was the film industry’s superpower.
From New York Times ● Sep. 1, 2019
In truth, he had simply allowed himself to get caught engaging in the same talk that Jefferson was conveying to friends and Monroe was sputtering out loud to anyone in Paris who would listen.
From "Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation" by Joseph J. Ellis
