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.

Heading into third-quarter earnings in early October, stocks were sputtering as investors worried about persistently high inflation and rising oil prices.

From New York Times • Jan. 11, 2024

When the offenses were sputtering in the first half, Thompson was there, galloping and absorbing contact for two wild and-one finishes.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 4, 2023

"We were sputtering all night on offense," LeBlanc said, "so it was great to be able to have those chances in the second half."

From Fox News • Nov. 5, 2021

The Lakers were sputtering in their early days in the bubble, with the offense the lowest-ranked out of the 22 teams at Disney.

From Washington Times • Sep. 27, 2020

Scattered around the cobblestones, the remnants of bassal were sputtering out like tiny blue-white stars.

From "The Name of the Wind" by Patrick Rothfuss