PrepScholar

Choose Your Test

Sat / act prep online guides and tips, 200+ other words for said: synonyms to spice up your writing.

author image

General Education

feature-speak-can

One of the words that comes up most commonly in various types of writing, from fiction to academic writing, is the word “said.” Any time a writer is referencing the words or thoughts expressed by another person, whether that be thoughts expressed verbally or in writing, an appropriate way to introduce--or attribute--that person’s thoughts is with the phrase “said.” 

But if you’re incorporating a lot of quotations in your writing, you might find yourself repeating  the word “said” a lot. Repeating the same phrase in a piece of writing can start to feel monotonous, which is why incorporating synonyms or an oft-used word or phrase can make your writing more interesting and accurate. But here’s some good news: there are tons of other words for “said” out there for you to use! 

To help you build a repertoire of words to replace “said,” we’re going to do the following in this article: 

  • Explain the importance of using word variety and avoiding repetition of the same word in your writing
  • Explain when to use “said” and when not to use “said” 
  • Provide a comprehensive list of alternative words for “said,” organized into categories based on emotion and intention

Ready to check out some synonyms for “said”? Then let’s get going!

body-orange-speech-bubbles

Other Words for Said 

To give you the most comprehensive and easy-to-navigate list, we’ve organized our list into two main categories: first, we’re including several lists of other words for “said” by emotion , and second, we’re including several lists of different words for “said” by intention or action . You can decide what meaning you’re trying to express in your writing, and use our lists accordingly!

Happy Words to Use Instead of “Said”

We’re going to kick off our list by giving you a lot of other words for “said” by emotion, starting with synonyms for “said” that convey a happy, joyful, or positive tone. 

Sad Words to Use Instead of “Said” 

Sadness is a common emotion expressed in writing--let’s look at a few synonyms for “said” that convey sadness. 

Angry Words to Replace “Said”

There are a ton of synonyms for “said” that express anger, and we’ve included several of them for you here. 

body-monkeys-shocked

Different Words for “Said” That Express Shock or Surprise

When you want to communicate a tone of shock or surprise in your writing, try using these synonyms for “said”! 

Other Words for “Said” That Express Fear

The last emotion it might be helpful to be able to express accurately and vividly in your writing is fear. Here’s a list of synonyms for “said” that you can use to demonstrate a feeling of fear. 

Words to Replace “Said” That Are Expository

If you’re working with a quote in which the speaker is clarifying information or explaining something, you can try out these words instead of “said”!

Other Words for “Said” That Are Argumentative

When you incorporate quotes or dialogue that make an argument, use these synonyms for “said” in your attributions.

body-point-one-star

Words to Use Instead of “Said” That Are Critical 

If a speaker in a quote or piece of dialogue is forming a critique, incorporate one of these different words for “said” in your attribution.

Words to Use Instead of “Said” That Are Implicative

Try using these alternative words for “said” that imply meaning. 

Words to Replace “Said” That Seek Information

Sometimes you need to include an attribution that shows a speaker is searching for information. These synonyms for “said” can help you establish a tone of inquisitiveness!

body-book-glasses-knowledge

Words to Replace “Said” That Reveal Information

Finally, if you need a word other than “said” that reveals information, try out the options in the list below. 

When to Use Different Words for “Said” in Your Writing...And When Not To

In most cases, deciding when to use words other than “said” in your writing is up to your discretion. But there are actually some situations when it’s correct to use “said” exclusively to attribute a piece of dialogue or a quote in your writing . This depends on the type of writing, so we’re going to break down the situations when you should definitely use “said” here!

The first situation where you can expect to see writers exclusively using “said” is in any type of writing that relies on AP Style . “AP” stands for “Associated Press,” and this set of style guidelines is the standard for journalistic writing. This includes writing for newspapers, magazines, and public relations in the United States. AP Style provides a lot of rules about grammar, spelling, punctuation, and language use, and using “said” for quote attribution is one of those rules.

Impartiality and objectivity are two values that are extremely important in journalistic writing. Unlike many synonyms for “said,” which reveal a speaker’s feelings, attitude, or intentions, “said” doesn’t try to interpret the feelings, attitude, or intentions of the speaker. “Said” just states factual information: the words in the quote were spoken by a person or group of people . Using “said” allows the journalist to remain impartial and objective about the information, and it also lets readers interpret the meaning of quoted material on their own. 

Technical Writing

While not exactly a rule, using “said” is an unspoken expectation for quote attribution in technical writing. Technical writing is a style of writing used in business environments and some scientific fields, like engineering . It’s important for this style of writing to be clear, specific, and, in most cases, concise. In fact, readers of technical writing appreciate a writer’s ability to communicate directly and plainly by using short, direct words. That’s why “said” is the best choice for introducing quotes or paraphrases in technical writing: it’s clear, specific, and concise. 

body-person-writing

Creative Writing 

Creative writing is a third situation that might require you to think strategically about when to use “said.” In creative writing--like fiction, for instance--when and how often to use “said” is pretty much up for debate. There are a lot of synonyms for “said” that you can use to convey the emotions or intentions of a character in dialogue, but you don’t necessarily have to use some flowery synonym for “said” every time you include a piece of dialogue in creative writing. In fact, sometimes it’s okay to strategically omit attributions altogether. 

Here’s one example of a way to present dialogue in creative writing that doesn’t overuse attributions: 

“I suppose I didn’t see the point.” Paige shook her head. “It’s not like you would’ve let me go if I’d told you ahead of time.” 

“That’s really selfish, Paige.” 

Even without attributions for every piece of dialogue in the example above, you can still get an idea of how the characters feel and what their intentions are through the dialogue beats (“She crossed her arms angrily,” and, “Paige shook her head”) . Alternatively, dialogue attributions in creative writing are another place where word variety is important. Your attributions are a great way for you to add emotion and imagery to your work. That means sometimes you might simply use “said,” sometimes you might use a more expressive synonym for “said,” and other times you might forego attributions altogether.

Academic Writing

One final writing situation where you’ll find yourself needing to make decisions about when to use “said” is academic, research-based writing. In academic writing, it’s important to be clear about who you are quoting and to provide adequate context for the quote you include. For example, if the scholar you’re quoting is making an argument in the quote you include, it would be more accurate to say, “Dr. Garcia argued” or “Dr. Garcia claimed,” instead of “Dr. Garcia said .” Using a quote attribution that gives your reader a clearer sense of the speaker or writer’s purpose and tone. 

body-red-pencil-important

3 Reasons Why Word Variety Is Important in Writing

Word variety is important to any type of writing for three main reasons: using a variety of words can make your writing more engaging, more accurate, and more expressive .

First, using a variety of words can make your writing more engaging and interesting for the people who are reading it. In some types of writing, like poetry , repetition is used as a strategic stylistic device. In lots of cases, though, writers repeat the same word because they don’t know its synonyms. After a while, readers might feel a bit exhausted by repetitiveness in a piece of writing. That’s one reason why knowing and using synonyms for commonly repeated words is so important!

Second, word variety can make your writing more accurate. For example, while “said” is always going to accurately describe a piece of dialogue or a quote from an outside source, there are words to use instead of “said” that can reveal the intention behind dialogue or the information conveyed in a quote . 

Let’s say you incorporate a quote where the author is disagreeing with a point made by a scholar. Sure, you could introduce that quote with, “Dr. Smith said.” But you could be more accurate by introducing the quote with a word that indicates that the quote is going to express disagreement, like, “Dr. Smith countered ” or “Dr. Smith responded .” 

Finally, your writing is expressive and vivid when you avoid repetition . When your word choice reflects the emotions or tone expressed by a quote or piece of dialogue that you include in your writing, your readers can get a better sense of your intended meaning. Using synonyms for “said” to create tone and imagery in your writing can help readers better understand your position and make them more willing to buy into your ideas. 

body_choice_arrows

What’s Next? 

If you’re studying for the verbal portion of your SAT or ACT, we’ve got you covered. Here are our expert guides to the verbal portions of the SAT and ACT , and we even have tips and tricks to help you tackle the essay sections ! These are just a few of the tons (and tons!) of resources we have, so be sure to check out our blog for more information.

This cheat sheet for ways to say “said” can be really helpful if you’re starting to write your college admissions essays . Learn how to start your essay off perfectly , and make sure you know the biggest mistakes you should avoid , too.

If you’re using this guide to help you write creatively, you might be a great fit for a creative writing degree ! Here’s a guide to the best creative writing colleges and programs in the United States. 

author image

Ashley Sufflé Robinson has a Ph.D. in 19th Century English Literature. As a content writer for PrepScholar, Ashley is passionate about giving college-bound students the in-depth information they need to get into the school of their dreams.

Student and Parent Forum

Our new student and parent forum, at ExpertHub.PrepScholar.com , allow you to interact with your peers and the PrepScholar staff. See how other students and parents are navigating high school, college, and the college admissions process. Ask questions; get answers.

Join the Conversation

Ask a Question Below

Have any questions about this article or other topics? Ask below and we'll reply!

Improve With Our Famous Guides

  • For All Students

The 5 Strategies You Must Be Using to Improve 160+ SAT Points

How to Get a Perfect 1600, by a Perfect Scorer

Series: How to Get 800 on Each SAT Section:

Score 800 on SAT Math

Score 800 on SAT Reading

Score 800 on SAT Writing

Series: How to Get to 600 on Each SAT Section:

Score 600 on SAT Math

Score 600 on SAT Reading

Score 600 on SAT Writing

Free Complete Official SAT Practice Tests

What SAT Target Score Should You Be Aiming For?

15 Strategies to Improve Your SAT Essay

The 5 Strategies You Must Be Using to Improve 4+ ACT Points

How to Get a Perfect 36 ACT, by a Perfect Scorer

Series: How to Get 36 on Each ACT Section:

36 on ACT English

36 on ACT Math

36 on ACT Reading

36 on ACT Science

Series: How to Get to 24 on Each ACT Section:

24 on ACT English

24 on ACT Math

24 on ACT Reading

24 on ACT Science

What ACT target score should you be aiming for?

ACT Vocabulary You Must Know

ACT Writing: 15 Tips to Raise Your Essay Score

How to Get Into Harvard and the Ivy League

How to Get a Perfect 4.0 GPA

How to Write an Amazing College Essay

What Exactly Are Colleges Looking For?

Is the ACT easier than the SAT? A Comprehensive Guide

Should you retake your SAT or ACT?

When should you take the SAT or ACT?

Stay Informed

different words for said in writing

Get the latest articles and test prep tips!

Looking for Graduate School Test Prep?

Check out our top-rated graduate blogs here:

GRE Online Prep Blog

GMAT Online Prep Blog

TOEFL Online Prep Blog

Holly R. "I am absolutely overjoyed and cannot thank you enough for helping me!”

Looking to publish? Meet your dream editor, designer and marketer on Reedsy.

Find the perfect editor for your next book

1 million authors trust the professionals on Reedsy, come meet them.

Guides • Perfecting your Craft

Last updated on Dec 02, 2021

270+ Other Words For "Said" To Supercharge Your Writing

If you've read our previous post on writing dialogue , you'll know that you shouldn't be afraid to default to he said , she said , or they said  when you're tagging your dialogue. After all, it's probably the clearest, least distracting way to indicate who's saying what. That being said, it can be useful to deploy a specific and powerful dialogue tag every now and again. 

Which dialogue tag are YOU?

Find out in just a minute.

To help you find that perfect synonym to inject action and emotion into your dialogue, here are over 270 other words for said:

Neutral/multi-purpose words

Happy/excited words , sad/upset words , angry words , annoyed words, frightened/pained words, prideful words.

NEW REEDSY COURSE

NEW REEDSY COURSE

How to Write a Novel

Enroll in our course and become an author in three months.

Words to express uncertainty

Words that make fun, words that ask a question, words that give an answer, download this 'greatest hits' list.

For this infographic, we've narrowed down the 270 most essential dialogue words for you to know! Simply enter your email below to get it in your inbox within minutes.

FREE RESOURCE

FREE RESOURCE

Get our Dialogue Tag Cheatsheet

Upgrade your dialogue with our list of 270 alternatives to “said.”

To see how master writers assemble their dialogue, head over to our final post in this series for some choice examples of dialogue.

Join a community of over 1 million authors

Reedsy is more than just a blog. Become a member today to discover how we can help you publish a beautiful book.

RBE | Spellcheck (photo) | 2023-03

Catch your errors

Polish your writing in the *free* Reedsy Book Editor.

Reedsy Marketplace UI

1 million authors trust the professionals on Reedsy, come meet them.

Enter your email or get started with a social account:

Synonyms of said

  • as in aforementioned
  • as in expressed
  • as in recited
  • as in assumed
  • More from M-W
  • To save this word, you'll need to log in. Log In

Thesaurus Definition of said

 (Entry 1 of 2)

Synonyms & Similar Words

  • aforementioned
  • preliminary
  • introductory

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Thesaurus Definition of said  (Entry 2 of 2)

  • articulated
  • brought out
  • put into words
  • promulgated
  • broadcasted
  • ripped (out)
  • piped up (with)
  • communicated
  • paraphrased
  • hypothesized
  • presupposed
  • took for granted
  • hypothecated
  • conjectured
  • preconceived
  • wondered (about)
  • disagreed (with)
  • discredited
  • controverted
  • disbelieved

Articles Related to said

destroy

5 Writing Rules Destroyed by the...

5 Writing Rules Destroyed by the Dictionary

Omit needless rules

Thesaurus Entries Near said

Cite this entry.

“Said.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus , Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/said. Accessed 15 Feb. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on said

Nglish: Translation of said for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of said for Arabic Speakers

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries.  Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.

Can you solve 4 words at once?

Word of the day.

See Definitions and Examples »

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

8 grammar terms you used to know, but forgot, homophones, homographs, and homonyms, commonly misspelled words, a guide to em dashes, en dashes, and hyphens, absent letters that are heard anyway, popular in wordplay, 8 uncommon words related to love, 9 superb owl words, football words and terminology, 'gaslighting,' 'woke,' 'democracy,' and other top lookups, 10 words for lesser-known games and sports, games & quizzes.

Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.

Say It Ain’t So! Try These 10 Words Instead Of “Said”

different words for said in writing

Dialogue is an integral part of almost every form of writing. Through dialogue, readers can get information, understand relationships between characters, and know what different people in their stories are thinking and feeling. Said is the most common way to tag dialogue in writing, but it’s not the only option when you’re quoting people in your work.

Said is a type of dialogue tag. These tags can be used before, after, or in the middle of dialogue to let the reader know that someone is speaking or being quoted. In journalism, the standard is to always use said when tagging dialogue; however, creative writers may need more variety to convey what characters are thinking and feeling in parts of their stories.

As with most things in writing, there is some debate about whether or not creative writers should deviate from said . Some writers think using different kinds of dialogue tags can be distracting, while others use these tags as a way to add depth to their writing. In his book On Writing , author Stephen King writes, “The best form of dialogue attribution is said.”

But even Stephen King doesn’t totally avoid creative dialogue tags. “When I do it, it’s usually for the same reason any writer does it: because I am afraid the reader won’t understand me if I don’t,” he writes. If you, like King, occasionally find yourself searching for a better word for said that helps your readers get even deeper into your work, here are some other good options.

To remark is to “say casually, as in making a comment.” It’s used in instances where characters are making casual conversation or saying things that are not terribly important to them, though what they’re saying is still necessary to the story or important to the other characters around them.

Like said, it’s a simple tag that doesn’t distract from the rest of your writing, but it’s useful because it helps signify the type of conversation taking place. In fiction writing, it might look like this:

  • “It’s cool out here,” he remarked as they stepped outside. “There must be a storm coming.”

Is your character a gossip? Are they keeping a secret? If so, divulge might be the dialogue tag for you. Typically, when a character chooses to divulge something, they are choosing “to disclose or reveal something private, secret, or previously unknown.” For example:

  • “You know, that’s not Bill’s real hair,” his wife divulged between sips of wine.

While divulge isn’t a dialogue tag you’d use for just any line of dialogue, it is great for those instances when a shady character is spilling the beans or when someone lets a major secret slip.

When someone in a piece of writing is barking commands, we typically know that person is under stress, in danger, or not very nice. That’s because bark is such handy shorthand for a range of distressing emotions. A dog’s bark is shrill and alarming. Likewise, when a person barks , it means “to speak or cry out sharply or gruffly.”

Take a look at how the following dialogue changes when you swap in bark instead of said :

  • “I’d like the check now,” he said to the waiter.
  • “I’d like the check now,” he barked at the waiter.

See the difference?

No matter how you say it, don’t dumb down your language by using the word dumb. Try these alternatives instead.

What kind of creature hisses ? Typically, an unhappy one. A hiss is used “to express disapproval or contempt.” It’s what a snake does when they want you to back off. Coincidentally, it can be used in similar ways in your writing. Take a look:

  • “I need more batteries,” she hissed .

Using the word hiss conveys alarm, distress, and the fact that this character just isn’t getting what they want. Like bark , it’s a good dialogue tag to sprinkle in when you need to convey abrupt strong emotions.

Picture this: your character is raving about their first date. They just met their dream partner, and they can’t stop gushing over how wonderful this person is. Gush does a lot of the heavy lifting there, right?

To gush means “to express oneself extravagantly or emotionally; talk effusively,” and it’s useful for those moments when your character is excited, overjoyed, or otherwise just can’t contain their emotions. Let’s look at an example:

  • “She has every Taylor Swift album on vinyl, and she even had backstage passes to her last concert,” he gushed. “She might be an even bigger super fan than I am!”

Let’s be real. Sometimes people don’t just say things, they growl them. Growl means “to utter a deep guttural sound of anger or hostility.” People may growl in frustration, arousal, contempt, or pain. And, while you certainly don’t want every person in your writing walking around growling at each other, the word growl is helpful to show that someone’s demeanor has changed in a dramatic way. Take a look:

  • “No,” she growled , her eyes clouded with rage. “You’ll never have the chance to hurt me again.”

When someone is sad, heartbroken, defeated, or in pain, whimper is one way to show it. Whimper means “to cry with low, plaintive, broken sounds.” It’s the word you can use to express your character’s innermost turmoil as they go through the darkest part of your story, or the one you might pull out after a particularly heart-wrenching death or disaster.

Don’t buy it? Maybe you need to see it in action:

  • “It will never be the same again,” he whimpered , pulling his knees to his chest. “It’s all over now.”

Someone pass the tissues.

When you see the word crow in dialogue, you can almost picture Peter Pan and his lost boys boasting after a narrow victory over the dastardly Captain Hook. Crow means “to gloat, boast, or exult,” and it’s often used in those moments when someone is celebrating a victory, bragging about a win, or lording their success over a lesser rival. For example:

  • “That’s right,” she crowed as her right foot crossed home plate. “You can’t stop the unbeatable Hawks!”

Whether or not the character is brought down by their own hubris after these bold declarations is up to you.

Sometimes you just don’t know how to express yourself. Thankfully we’ve collected plenty of ways for you to say “I don’t know.”

In a story, someone strong might roar and thunder their dialogue. A meek or weaker character might opt to squeak . A squeak is a weak sound associated with small creatures like mice.

While your character likely doesn’t run around making actually imperceptible squeaking sounds like a rodent, allowing them to squeak their dialogue easily implies that they’re quiet, timid, and possibly afraid of what they’re saying or the person they’re speaking to. See what impression you get of the character in the following example:

  • “Oh, it’s no bother,” she squeaked when I offered to flag down the waiter for her. “I can just eat it cold.”

No one likes to be heckled , and that’s why heckle is such a useful dialogue tag. To heckle someone means “to harass (a public speaker, performer, etc.) with impertinent questions, gibes, or the like; badger.”

Most of us know exactly what heckling sounds like, and it’s easy for us to imagine the malice behind it and how uncomfortable it must feel to be on the other side of it. Consider what you think about the two characters in the following scene:

  • “Look out, everybody! It’s Shakespeare,” he heckled as Matilda read her poem aloud.

Using heckle is an effortless way to infuse a scene with discomfort and show readers who to root for.

Check out our word list

Looking for an easy way to save these dialogue tags to use while you’re working on your next project? You’re in luck. We’ve built a convenient word list to help you keep the terms handy, check your spelling, and quiz yourself on how to use each term correctly. Review them with our digital flash cards and save the list to add to your writing resources. Finding the right word has never been easier.

Make sure you know exactly how to use these words with a quiz to challenge your “speaking” skills!

Ways To Say

different words for said in writing

Synonym of the day

The Character Comma

The Character Comma

Writing tips for all things character and comma

Home > All Writing Tips > 316 Other Words for Said (+ Tips to Use Them)

different words for said in writing

316 Other Words for Said (+ Tips to Use Them)

To dialogue tag, or to not dialogue tag… a question forever debated by writers! And within that dialogue, is it acceptable to use a word other than “said”?

Some authors declare that ALL colorful dialogue tags are trash. “Only use said,” they insist. “And use it as sparingly as possible.”

But the truth is, creative writing doesn’t have hard rules. We each have our own unique style and voice. So what works for Stephen King shouldn’t be set in stone for you. There are some general best practices, but ultimately, it’s up to you and your writing style to make the final decision.

I’m going to share a few sides of the debate along with examples. And finally, a list of other words for “said” in case you decide that’s the path for you.

Why the Hate for Fancy Dialogue Tags?

It’s true—some writers go a bit nuts. They feel like every single dialogue tag has to be fancy and unique, and it can get really distracting. It’s a common mistake for new and inexperienced writers.

Some of you might be familiar with My Immortal , an infamous Harry Potter fanfiction that was so awful it became a meme.

This infamous example can show what happens if you only use words other than “said”:

“I’m so sorry.” he said in a shy voice. “That’s all right. What’s your name?” I questioned. “My name’s Harry Potter, although most people call me Vampire these days.” he grumbled. “Why?” I exclaimed. “Because I love the taste of human blood.” he giggled. “Well, I am a vampire.” I confessed. “Really?” he whimpered. “Yeah.” I roared. My Immortal

This is an extreme example, and it reads a bit silly. But it captures the main reasons why some writers advise against excessive dialogue tags.

The truth is, a lot of new writers make this mistake. They’re afraid that using “said” too much is repetitive, so they try to spice it up with alternatives. Word repetition can be detrimental to your story , sure, but “said” is a common enough word that you don’t need to worry about it.

In this particular example, the problem is deeper than just other words for “said.” There’s a lot going on here.

  • Every line has a unique dialogue tag, making it feel forced.
  • Most of the tags don’t make sense with the dialogue.
  • Every tag is applied in the same way, making the sentence fluency sound choppy.
  • There’s no description or character action, making this a case of “talking heads.”
  • The grammar is a bit off, too. Dialogue tags should attach with a comma instead of a period.

So it’s not JUST the dialogue tags that make it read poorly. But they certainly don’t help!

The Argument for a Simple “Said”

Like mentioned before, some writers keep dialogue tags as simple as possible – they exclusively use “said.” Sometimes I’ve heard that “asked” is the only acceptable alternative.

“Said” is invisible. Most readers won’t even actively register reading it.

It’s simple. Clean. It gets the point across, keeps your writing tight. and doesn’t distract your reader. So some writers say that other words for “said” just aren’t necessary.

It’s true that not every line needs a dialogue tag. You can pair dialogue with description or leave it plain.  Sometimes this is a better place to describe your character’s tone or imply how they’re feeling.

It’s in line with the classic advice of “show don’t tell.” Instead of telling us that your character is whispering, describe the scene in a way that implies the need for quiet or secrecy. Then your reader will imagine everyone speaking in hushed tones without the need to explain it.

“Wait,” Kent said, catching her by the elbow. “Tell me your name.” The witch yanked free from his grip and continued walking. Her pace was grueling. “Don’t you already know it? I know how they talk about me in town.”

Can you guess the tone of these two characters, just based on their actions and words? Do I need to say “Kent shouted” or “the witch snapped”?

Sometimes there’s no need for a word other than “said.” The tone is implied by the context.

RELATED: Writing Dialogue: Saying What You Mean (Not!)

Why not both try a mix.

You’re a writer, which means you get to decide on your own rules.

Don’t let others tell you there’s only one right way to write dialogue. We each have our own writing style, so we each get to make this choice for ourselves.

So play with it. Read books by your favorite authors and pay attention to what they do. Decide what you like best and write it that way.

Personally, I find that limiting myself to just is “said” a bit boring, and it’s just not always the best tool for the job.

Sometimes you want to capture an emotion in your character’s voice, and a dialogue tag is the best place to put it. Sometimes you want a simple, to-the-point “whispered” over a wordy description. Sometimes there’s multiple people in the room, so you need a dialogue tag to clarify who’s talking and “said” isn’t quite right.

My Strategy: Simple, but Varied

With dialogue tags, it’s easy to get carried away.

When I write, I keep it simple, but I’m not afraid to use something other than “said.” I’ll sprinkle in a few variations, but keep it common. Asked, whispered, hissed, interrupted, insisted, began. If the situation calls for something slightly more fancy, I’ll go for it.

Uncommon words can be distracting. Used incorrectly, they can feel forced or awkward. If they don’t fit your voice, it sounds like you’re writing a school assignment and showing off your vocab for the teacher.

A dialogue tag should be more or less invisible. They need to fit the situation and your writing style. Typically, fancy alternatives for “said” just don’t meet those criteria.

Remember, too—not every line of dialogue needs a tag. Sometimes it’s better to leave it plain or partner it with a descriptive sentence. Mixing it up is better for sentence fluency, too.

Here’s a sample I pulled from A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J. Maas.

“There’s a bond—it’s a real thread,” he said, more to himself than us. “And?” Mor asked. Lucien ran both hands through his long red hair. His skin was darker—a deep golden-brown, compared to the paleness of Eris’s coloring. “And I got to Elain’s end of it when she ran off.” “Did you sense anything?” “No—I didn’t have time. I felt her, but…” A blush stained his cheek. Whatever he’d felt, it wasn’t what we were looking for. Even if we had no idea what, precisely, that was. “We can try again—another day,” I offered. A Court of Wings and Ruin

As you can see, this short conversation includes a mix. Said, asked, and offered, along with some lines that don’t have a dialogue tag at all. The dialogue tags add a little info without being distracting.

Need Other Words for “Said “?

Here you go. A cursed list filled with many (dangerous) alternate words for “said.”

Some innate part of me likes to collect and hoard things. So I wanted to dive into the English language and collect as many other words for “said” as I could find.

English is a HUGE language, so yeah, I found a lot of them.

Most of these you’ll probably never use. Most of them you SHOULDN’T ever use.

But hey, maybe there’s a time and a place for every option on this list. A really snobby character might use really snobby vocab. A badly programmed robot might use random, nonsensical words. A parody writer might stuff a ton of these into a poorly written fanfic purely for entertainment purposes.

With power comes responsibly and lots of margin for error. So be safe, be smart, and use this list at your own risk.

A Masterlist of 316 Synonyms for “Said”

  • Acknowledged
  • Articulated
  • Backtracked
  • Complimented
  • Compromised
  • Contradicted
  • Deliberated
  • Embellished
  • Entertained
  • Exaggerated
  • Gesticulated
  • Interjected
  • Interrogated
  • Interrupted
  • Procrastinated
  • Recommended
  • Spelled out
  • Surrendered
  • Volunteered

Share this:

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)

More Writing Advice:

Leave a reply cancel reply.

Words to use instead of SAID

This is page is updated often. Be sure to refresh the page by pressing both the Ctrl key and the F5 key to ensure you are seeing the latest version.

Looking for a specific word? Press the Ctrl key and the F key to open up a search box.

For instructions on how to properly use the words below, click the instructions button below:

👨🏼‍🏫 Instructions

To see the list below without the definitions and examples, click the button below:

🗜️ Condensed

To quickly jump down to the category or emotion you wish to view, simply click the buttons below:

  • Answering  💬
  • Chatter  🤓
  • Debate  🗣
  • Humor  😂
  • Persuasion  😉
  • Provoke  👿
  • Purpose  ‼
  • Questions  🤔
  • Uncertainty  🙄
  • Speech  📣
  • Anger  😠
  • Disgust  😝
  • Embarrass  😳
  • Fear  😱
  • Frustrated  🤨
  • Happiness  😀
  • Love  💘
  • Regret  🤐
  • Sadness  😢
  • Surprise  😲
  • Tiredness  😴
  • Not Assoc  🤷

The words below are classified by category

The words below are classified by emotions.

Do you have a word that you think should be added to this list, or a comment? Touch the button below to send Steven P. Wickstrom an e-mail:

📬 E-mail

To those of you who have e-mailed suggestions to me, I would like to say thank you very much. This page is a success because of you. Steven P. Wickstrom

To view the alphabetized list of examples of words to use instead of said, touch the button below to go the examples page.

🦉 Examples

To print the list above click the button below to download the PDF file. It takes twenty-three (23) 8.5" x 11" pages to print the list, so you may want to consider double-sided printing. 🖨️ Print

To print list above (without examples) click the button below to download the PDF file. It takes four (4) 8.5" x 11" pages to print the list, so you may want to consider double-sided printing. 🖨️ Print

This page was last modified  .

KathySteinemann.com: Free Resources for Writers and Poets

Word lists, cheat sheets, and sometimes irreverent reviews of writing rules. kathy steinemann is the author of the writer's lexicon series..

different words for said in writing

300+ Ways to Say “Said” (“Say”): A Word List for Writers

Is said the only word a writer should use for dialogue?

He Said. She Said. They Said.

Said is a convenient word when you need it, and some pundits claim you should never use anything else, ever, to attribute dialogue.

I disagree.

Please don’t get huffy until you read this entire post, especially if you’re a writer who swears on a bushel of Dothraki bells that said is the best way — nay, the only way — to tag conversation.

Repeat any word often enough, and it morphs into an irritation just as obnoxious as a saddle sore on a long ride.

Forget the rules . Invent your own. Whatever engages readers is right.

Consider the Following Micro-Story

An icy draft speared through the living room as John stepped into the house from the wintry blizzard that raged outside. His arms overflowed with packages.

“Please close the door,” Amy said . “It’s freezing in here.”

John said , “Close it yourself!”

Amy said back, in an angry tone, “What did you say?”

“I told you to close it yourself,” he said , in a voice so loud it rattled the windows.

She pressed her lips into a firm white line and said , “You’re the one who pays the heating bill. But I guess you have lots of money. You can afford it.”

He slammed the door closed and said , “If you’d get off your duff and find a job, I wouldn’t have to pay all the bills myself.”

Amy said , “Well, if you hadn’t got me preg —”

“You’re pregnant?” John said . “Why didn’t you say something?”

Try This Instead

Amy glanced up from the baby booties she was knitting. “Please close the door. It’s freezing in here.”

John glowered . “Close it yourself!”

“What did you say?”

“I told you to close it yourself.” The windows rattled. From the angry volume of his voice? Or the storm?

She pressed her lips into a firm white line. “You’re the one who pays the heating bill. But I guess you have lots of money. You can afford it.”

He slammed the door. “If you’d get off your duff and find a job, I wouldn’t have to pay all the bills myself.”

“Well, if you hadn’t got me preg —”

“You’re pregnant?” John beamed and dropped the packages. “Why didn’t you say something?”

Did You Notice the Changes in the Second Piece?

#1. Two paragraphs have no attribution. With obvious back and forth of dialogue, it’s unnecessary and distracting to tag every snippet of speech

#2. Action beats replace dialogue tags in a few spots.

Amy glanced up

John glowered

She pressed her lips

He slammed the door

John beamed

#3. The knitting of baby booties gives readers a clue about the ending, which comes as an abrupt surprise in the first piece.

#4. One adjective, angry , describes John’s attitude. Yes, it’s a tell, and the pundits who recommend that you should always show might disagree with its use. However, rules are made to be broken. Right?

#5. One narrative statement becomes interrogative. Judicious use of questions can draw readers into prose or poetry.

Reread the pieces to see how much stronger the second example is. Both contain the same number of words.

Now Consider a Third Version

John retorted, “Close it yourself!”

“I told you to close it yourself,” he snapped. The windows rattled. Perhaps from the angry volume of his voice?

Did You Catch the Two Said Alternatives?

Retorted and snapped are so much more effective than said .

But don’t overdo! Like exclamation points, em dashes, and ellipses , excessive use of colorful verbs for dialogue tags irritates readers.

By the way, the third piece contains the same number of words as the first two.

And About That Slamming Door

It’s unnecessary to say someone slams a door closed.

Whenever You Need a Direct Replacement for Said , Refer to This List

Some of these words contravene the show, don’t tell rule.

As always, watch for clichés, and apply these suggestions sparingly. Some, while suitable for children, might not be appropriate for adults.

Words such as neighed or whickered can describe a character’s voice , especially appropriate for someone with a horsey face. Frugal use recommended.

Although many writers show their characters laughing, sighing, sobbing, or breathing speech, I recommend you avoid verbs like these as dialogue tags. Save them for action beats, or substitute body language to show emotions.

Lied or doubted and their ilk can break point of view if not used correctly. Many of these would be suitable for micro fiction where tell is often the norm, because show requires too many words.

A accused, acknowledged, acquiesced, added, admitted, admonished, advised, advocated, affirmed, agreed, alleged, announced, answered, apologized, applauded, argued, asked, assented, asserted, assured, avowed

B babbled, badgered, barked, began, begged, bellowed, bellyached, beseeched, bickered, blabbed, blabbered, blathered, bleated, blubbered, blurted, boasted, boomed, bragged, brayed, broke in, bubbled, burst out

C cajoled, called, carped, cautioned, challenged, charged, chatted, chattered, cheered, chided, chimed in, chirped, chittered, chorused, claimed, clarified, clucked, coached, coaxed, commanded, commented, complained, complimented, conceded, concluded, concurred, confessed, confided, confirmed, congratulated, contended, continued, contradicted, contributed, cooed, corrected, corroborated, counseled, countered, cried, croaked, crowed, cursed

D and E debated, decided, declared, decreed, deduced, demanded, demurred, denied, described, directed, disagreed, disclosed, disputed, dissented, divulged, doubted, drawled, dribbled, droned, echoed, effused, ejaculated, elucidated, emphasized, encouraged, ended, entreated, exclaimed, explained, exploded, exulted

F to H finished, fretted, fussed, gibbered, gibed, gloated, granted, greeted, griped, groaned, growled, grunted, grumbled, guaranteed, guessed, gurgled, gushed, harangued, hinted, hissed, hollered, howled, huffed, hypothesized

I to M imitated, implied, implored, informed, inquired, insisted, interjected, interrupted, intoned, instructed, invited, jabbered, jeered, jested, jibed, joined in, joked, lamented, lectured, lied, lisped, maintained, marveled, mentioned, mimicked, mocked, mumbled, murmured, mused, muttered

N to P nagged, nattered, neighed, nitpicked, noted, objected, observed, offered, opined, ordered, persisted, persuaded, pestered, piped, pleaded, pled, pledged, pointed out, pondered, praised, prated, prattled, prayed, pressed, proclaimed, professed, promised, proposed, protested, provoked, purred, put in, puzzled

Q and R quavered, queried, questioned, quipped, quizzed, quoted, raged, ranted, rattled on, reasoned, reassured, rebuked, recalled, reckoned, recommended, recounted, reiterated, rejoined, related, remarked, remembered, reminded, repeated, replied, reported, reprimanded, reproached, reproved, requested, resounded, responded, resumed, retaliated, retorted, revealed, roared

S and T sang, sassed, screamed, scoffed, scolded, shot, shouted, shrieked, shrilled, slurred, snapped, snarled, sniveled, spat, speculated, spluttered, spoke, squeaked, squealed, stammered, started, stated, stormed, stressed, stuttered, suggested, surmised, swore, tattled, taunted, teased, testified, theorized, threatened, thundered, told, trilled, tutted

U to Y urged, uttered, verified, volunteered, vowed, wailed, warned, weighed in, went on, wheedled, whickered, whimpered, whined, whinnied, whispered, whooped, wondered, worried, yammered, yawned, yakked, yelled, yelped, yowled

Are You Interested in More Word Lists and Writing Tips?

If you haven’t done so already, please subscribe to my blog . (The link will take you to the subscription widget at the top left of this post.)

I usually post two to five times monthly, and you can discontinue your subscription at any time.

8 thoughts on “ 300+ Ways to Say “Said” (“Say”): A Word List for Writers ”

I don’t use dialogue tags. Never. They’re a distraction created by lazy writers. You have to be more careful to make sure the reader knows who’s talking, though.

Gordon, if you can do that and produce a story that seems natural, good going. However, wouldn’t the absolute avoidance of anything, whether it be dialogue tags or adverbs, seem unnatural to readers?

You make some good points. I find ‘said’ annoying when it is a question. It is technically correct, but that is a personal tick. If it is a question and needs a dialogue tag, I used asked. I am also willing to use whispered and shouted. I really do not care what ‘rule’ someone else makes up. But that is the full list of dialogue tags I am willing to use. If only two people are speaking, the reader should be able to tell who is speaking much of the time without being told. If they cannot, a beat will often be good, but you don’t want to turn your character into a jackrabbit by making her bob about too much either. A judicious mix when needed is, in my opinion, the best choice.

I prefer simple: asked, in/enquired, requested, demanded, stated, whispered, mumbled, murmured, muttered, yelled, shouted, explained, and a few others.

However, when writing for kids or creating a humor piece, words such as brayed, cawed, etc., create the perfect image.

I’m somewhere in the middle when it comes to the “said” argument. While the tags “said” and “asked” are generally invisible, they’re also pretty bland at times and not entirely sufficient at getting across the intended tone or inflection of a person’s voice.

People don’t always just “say” things. Sometimes they scream, whisper, mutter, hiss, and so on.

I’m in the middle too, Rhonda. I’m usually not keen on a character “whinnying” dialogue, but in rare cases, it works.

I hope 2022 is treating you well!

Great article! I love the rewritten versions, much improved, and the list is very helpful too. Your advice is solid — not to be completely rigid on “always use said” but not to overdo the alternates.

One additional consideration when using action beats in lieu of dialogue tags, is whether a listener will be able to interpret dialogue as dialogue when the story is read aloud. In your examples above it’s clear, but sometimes a character will say something that could easily be interpreted as narrative rather than dialogue.

I often read novels aloud to my children, and sometimes have to stop and explain who was speaking, or insert dialogue tags myself.

Thanks, Mike. Great tips!

Comments are closed.

Book Beaver Header Logo

100+ better words for "Said"

different words for said in writing

1. Positive words for "said"

2. Negative words for "said"

3. Neutral words for "said"

4. Words that ask a question

5. Words that give an answer

6. Crafting great dialogues

➡️  Enrich your book by substituting the word “said” with other verbs. Depending on the context, these can be positive, negative, neutral, inquisitive or responsive.

➡️  Positive words include “joked,” “proclaimed,” and “remarked.” You can also use “laughed,” “vowed,” or “chortled.”

➡️  Negative words include “groaned,” “scoffed,” and “complained.” Other options include “grumbled” and “apologised”.

Writing dialogues can get stagnant. Words like 'said' can probably find their way many times in a single paragraph. Plus, that word itself isn't the most creative per se. It doesn't convey much emotion.

There are so many better words for 'said' that can enrich your vocabulary and make your writing that much more colourful .

Positive words for "said"

Negative words for "said", neutral words for "said", words that ask a question, words that give an answer, crafting great dialogues.

Using more different words for "said" would ultimately improve the way your story reads, and would add more depth to it. Here you have more than a hundred new words you can use to improve how the characters engage with the setting of a scene and reveal their emotions.

Your richer vocabulary will paint a better picture and give readers and a clearer sense of proximity and distance of characters, and what their thoughts and feelings are.

Subscribe to our newsletter to be first to know when we publish more guides like this.

Advice from a published writer

Drop us a message, we'll be happy to help.

Jamal Shashore

"I'd like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the team for the exceptional book cover design!"

different words for said in writing

Should I start writing a book?

We're an independent website which is partly supported by ads and affiliate links. We may receive compensation from third-party advertisers, but that doesn’t affect our author opinions. Our marketing partners don’t review, approve or endorse our editorial content.

Subscribe to our newsletter

Related articles.

different words for said in writing

How to write a great book synopsis

different words for said in writing

How to write an author bio as a new writer

different words for said in writing

How much do authors make?

Order your book cover.

If you have any questions or if you're ready to go ahead, please fill out our short design enquiry form.

Professional book services for self-publishing and indie writers. Say hi: [email protected]

WriterWiki

500 Dialogue Tags Examples using other Words for “Said”

Last Updated on July 20, 2022 by Dr Sharon Baisil MD

This article features an ultimate list of dialogue tag examples you can use in your writing . “Said” is the word most often used as a dialogue tag. However, there are many other words you can use to add more spice and variety to your writing.

What is a Dialogue Tag?

A dialogue tag is a word or phrase that indicates the tone of voice used by the speaker. It’s usually placed at the end of a dialogue line and followed by a punctuation mark such as an exclamation point, comma, colon, semicolon, or period. Some writers use an ellipsis for their dialogue tags while some use a dash. In an email, a dialogue tag can used in the subject line for tagging purposes.

  • “I can’t believe it,” she said.
  • She spoke in a shocked tone.
  • She exclaimed, “I cannot believe it.”
  • She gasped, “I can’t believe it!”

How to Use Dialogue Tags?

You must always remember that the dialogue tag is a support for the dialogue that has to blend with it. It’s not a “stand-alone” element, but rather an addition to the mainline.

A dialogue tag must be placed where it won’t make readers confused about who’s talking. It’s important to note that you should never start a dialogue line with “he said” or “she said.” The only exception for this is when you’re using “said” as both dialogue” sentences so if you find yourself describing what your character is doing, then you should consider rephrasing or changing it.

  • “I’m coming, I’m coming,” he said as he walked towards the door.
  • He shouted, “I’m coming, I’m coming.” as he walked towards the door.

Notice that in this example, it’s clear who’s talking because of the narrative tag.

You must also be sure that you are using the right tone of voice for your dialogue tag. There are some words that can’t immediately indicate whether a dialogue is said in an angry, irritated, or agitated tone so you have to consider adding more clues to guide readers.

You also have to remember never to use adverbial phrases at the beginning of a dialogue tag as it can make your writing feel clunky. The same thing goes with any other unnecessary words. In the example below, the dialogue tag is split from its dialogue which makes it hard to follow:

  • “Nice to meet you,” she said, holding out her hand.
  • She held out her hand and said, “Nice to meet you.”
  • She smiled. “Nice to meet you.”

The word “said” is the most common dialogue tag but there are other words that can be used as well. You can use any of the following synonyms instead of “said” if it better fits with your character’s tone of voice or the mood of the story .

  • Whispered softly/gently/calmly
  • Replied calmly

Keep in mind that there are some forms of dialogue like stage plays, TV shows, and movies where you never use dialogue tags as it’s already clear who is talking by looking at the character’s face, movement, and actions.

  • “I love you,” she said softly as she looked into his eyes.
  • “I love you.” She gazed into his eyes and smiled.

While writing dialogue or a prose, it’s important to create a balanced rhythm between dialogue and narrative. Readers want dialogue to be short, snappy and engaging so avoid using too many descriptions at the beginning of a line as this makes it harder for readers to understand who is talking. The use of action beats or action tags in between dialogue lines can help in this.

Complete list of dialogue tags examples using other words for “said”

This detailed list is divided into three sections. In the first part, you’ll find words that are often used in fiction writing, especially for novels. The second one features dialogue tags specific to different types of media while the third section offers more examples of non-dialogue tags that can be used instead of “said.”

100 Dialogue tags that are often used in fiction writing, with examples

different words for said in writing

Example: “I beg to differ,” he argued.

Example: “I’m sorry,” she blurted out.

Example: “Let me tell you the story of how I caught this fish,” he boasted.

Example: “I used to be a great athlete in my high school days,” he bragged.

Example: “I’m not leaving until you let me see her,” he called out.

Example: “One, two, three, four,” he chanted.

  • Chuckled/chuckled merrily/happily/joyfully

Example: He chuckled softly. – She laughed happily. – He laughed joyfully.

Example: She cooed softly. – She cooed to the baby in her arms.

Example: He cried out, “Stop!”

  • Demanded/Asked angrily

Examples: “What were you thinking?” he demanded. – “Where is she?” he asked angrily.

Example: She ejaculated the words. – The words escaped her lips as an accusation.

  • Gasped/(gasp)

Example: She gasped in surprise

  • Giggled/giggles
  • They giggled softly.
  • She giggled nervously.
  • He groaned in frustration.
  • He groaned, “Oh God.”
  • Growled/(growl)

Example: He growled, “You stupid idiot.”

  • Grumbled/grumbled angrily/sullenly/testily
  • He took a deep breath.
  • He grumbled impatiently.
  • She grumbled under her breath.
  • Mused/(muse)

Example: She mused, “I wonder what happened.”

Muttered/mutters

  • She muttered.
  • He murmured politely.
  • She murmured something in his ear under her breath.
  • Said angrily/(angrily)

Example: He said fiercely. – He said angrily.

  • Sighed/sighs
  • He sighed, “It’s over.”
  • She sighed dreamily.
  • Snapped/snaps
  • She snapped at him.
  • He snarled in reply.
  • Sneered/(sneer)
  • He sneered in disapproval.
  • She sneered, “You look ridiculous.”
  • Sputtered/(sputter)

Example: She sputtered, “I didn’t mean to.”

  • Squealed/squeal/(gasp)/(scream)/yelped/yelp/(cry)/(whine)
  • Her voice rose into a squeal.
  • She squealed in delight. – She yelped in pain.
  • Stuttered/stutters
  • She stammered nervously.
  • He stuttered out the words.
  • Whispered/whispers/(murmur)/(murmurs)
  • He whispered into her ear.
  • She murmured softly.
  • Yelled/(yell)
  • He yelled angrily.
  • He yelled at the top of his lungs.

100 Dialogue tags that are specific to different media forms, with examples

different words for said in writing

Aged/aged dramatically/years in 10 seconds

Example: “I can’t believe you’re here,” he gasped, aged years in 10 seconds.

Announced/announced dramatically/dramatic pause/(pause)

Example: He paused and announced dramatically, “There’s something I have to tell you.”

Bellowed/(bellow)

  • The lion bared its teeth and howled ferociously.
  • The coach bellowed, “You’re out of the game!”

Boasted (boast)

Example: He boasted his wealth and influence.

Cackled/(cackle)

  • The witch cackled maniacally.
  • She cackled when she saw the look on his face.

Cried out/(cry)

  • The woman cried out in pain.
  • The king cried out, “Enough!”

Echoed/echoes/echoing

  • He whispered her name and it echoed through her soul.
  • She repeated his words slowly, “You don’t love me anymore?”

Explained/explain/(explanation)

  • He sighed and began to explain.
  • They exchanged grim glances, each one silently explaining the unexplainable.

Groaned/groan/(moan)

  • She moaned loudly when she felt his hands on her body.
  • The injured man groaned but didn’t open his eyes.

Grumbled/grumble/(murmur)/(murmurs)

  • He grumbled to himself about the long drive.
  • They murmured quietly among themselves.

Gurgled/gurgle/(chuckle)

  • The baby giggled and gurgled happily.
  • He chuckled and gurgled at the same time, making his wife laugh out loud.
  • He chuckled softly. – He smiled and gurgled with pleasure.

Howled/(howl)

  • The dog howled at the moon in the night sky.
  • The mob howled outside the house of the innocent man.

Hummed/hum/(instrumental song)

  • She hummed a familiar tune softly to herself.
  • He played the song through, humming along.
  • She laughed and replied, “I can’t argue with that.”
  • They both laughed until their sides ached.
  • The prince laughed at his foolish brother.

Laughed out loud

  • She laughed out loud when she saw the joke in the magazine.
  • He shook with laughter until he was red in the face.

Murmured/murmur/(whisper)/(whispers)

  • He murmured something into the air.
  • She whispered quietly to herself.
  • They murmured prayers for their lives.

Mused/muse/(think)/(thinking)

  • She paused and began to muse about a happy memory from her childhood.
  • He mused silently for a moment before speaking again.
  • He muttered a curse under his breath when she spoke to him sharply.
  • He muttered his answer resentfully, not looking at her.

Panted/(breath)

  • She panted in her sleep.
  • He took a breath and continued to run towards the horizon.

Plagued/plague

The house was plagued by mice in the walls.

Played/play/(instrumental song)

  • She played a sad melody on her violin.
  • He played the song through, playing all of the right notes perfectly.

Questioned/question/(ask)

  • He questioned her about what she had seen in the woods.
  • What was she trying to do by questioning him like that?

Quieted/quiet/(soothe)

  • Her singing quieted the baby down.
  • He soothed her frazzled nerves with a gentle voice and caring touch.

Rambled/ramble/(talk or speak fast without stopping)/(talks or speaks fast without stopping)

  • He rambled on about the people in his life until she stopped him.
  • She rambled on about her day before turning in for the night.

Replied/(answer)

  • He replied with a shrug, “I don’t know.”
  • She replied to his unasked question.

Shouted/shout/(scream)/(screams)

  • The man shouted over the loud music.
  • The baby screamed and cried when he saw a strange dog in front of his house.
  • She shouted at him to get out of her way.

Sighed/sigh/(breathe out)/(breaths out)

  • She sighed and nodded, making her husband smile.
  • She sighed loudly and lay down on the bed, exhausted from the day’s work.

Spoke/speaks/(say)/(says)

  • He spoke calmly and confidently about what needed to be done next.
  • He said something under his breath.
  • She spoke up and said that she was the only one who could help him.

Stammered/stammer/(be unsure of what to say next)/(is unsure of what to say next)

  • He stammered out a reply.
  • She was stammering with shock and disbelief.

Taunted/taunt

  • The man taunted his opponent to get a reaction from him.
  • He taunted the other man about his lack of success with women.

Whispered/(talk or speak quietly)/(talk or speak in an undertone)

  • She whispered to herself and started to cry quietly.
  • They talked in an undertone about the events that had happened.

Wailed/(cry or weep loudly)

  • She wailed at his feet, begging him to come back to her.
  • He wailed in agony after he heard about what happened to his best friend.

Yelled/yell/(scream)/(screams)

  • He yelled for his mother after he saw the man running towards him with a gun.
  • She yells at her daughter when she smashes another vase.
  • He yelled in his sleep and woke up the whole household.

List of Non-dialogue tags that can be used instead of “said.”

1. General: murmured, exclaimed, babbled, cried, protested.

2. Feelings: shrieked, whined.

3. Sound: hissed, sobbed.

4. Physical Actions: blundered into him/her/it/them/one; collapsed on…; muttered to…; glanced at…; smiled at…; turned to…; pressed against …; screamed at…; swung around to…; pointed at …; leaped up/down/upwards/downward etc.

5. Emotions: sighed in relief, laughed scornfully, grinned darkly, cried bitterly.

6. Place or Thing: whispered behind his hand, murmured something soft and bitter to herself under her breath, muttered an oath under his breath,

7. Time: muttered, grumbled, rasped, gibbered.

8. Thoughts/Images: He thought of the day he had met her and smiled to himself.

9. Physical Sensations: The pain throbbed in his stomach like a pulse beat.

10. Actions or Movements: He nodded; rose; shook his head; leaned forward…

11. Relationships/Character Traits: She looked at him with loathing in her eyes.

12. Other Phrases (once again the list is very long): “He lowered his voice to a whisper”/”He dropped his voice to a whisper”/”He raised his voice to a yell”/”She threw her head back and laughed with delight”/”Her eyes blazed with anger”/”His face was etched with pain as he stumbled toward home.”

Adverbs used as dialogue tags without the word “said”

1. Whispered: She whispered softly, “What do you think of the new girl?”

2. Murmured: He murmured something under his breath.

3. Yelled: She yelled at me and I didn’t know what to say.

4. Shouted: He shouted over the loud noises we were making.

5. Sniffed: Nathan sniffled and rubbed his nose with the back of his hand.

6. Cried: “No!” she cried, “Please don’t do this.”

7. Babbled: He babbled incoherently.

8. Giggled: She giggled nervously.

9. Sighed: He sighed at the mention of her name.

10. Roared: He roared with laughter when he saw me jump in fright.

11. Sobbed: He sobbed into his handkerchief, unable to continue talking about it anymore.

12. Yelled: She yelled, “Get out!”

13. Gasped: He gasped and his eyes opened wide in fear.

14. Cackled: The witch cackled at her misery and pain, saying that she deserved it all for being such a wretched girl.

15. Began: She began to cry when I said my father died.

16. Chirped: She chirped, “I hope you like it!” and handed me a small box tied with a red ribbon.

17. Giggled: She giggled nervously and looked away from him, focusing her eyes on the carpeted ground instead of his handsome face.

18. Hissed: He hissed, “That’s not what I meant!”

19. Cried: She cried out in despair, “Why?”

20. Screamed: They screamed and ran away from her as far as possible.

21. Rasped: He rasped for air and tried to sit up, but only managed to lean on his elbows.

22. Whined: She whined for him to stay with her forever.

23. Huffed: He huffed at my suggestion of staying home tonight instead of going out with friends.

24. Whispered: She whispered, “Don’t tell anyone but I think you’re really nice.”

25. Gasped: He gasped and waved his hands around frantically, trying to find the source of the water leak.

15 tips to use “said” and its synonyms well

1. Use the tag “said” as often as possible to maintain credibility and clarity, especially in emotional scenes.

2. The words that replace said should be carefully selected to avoid disrupting the narrative flow or making dialogue seem melodramatic or awkward.

3. Use dialogue tags to establish who is speaking and how they sound (angrily, hoarsely, nervously).

4. Use of dialogue tags must create a distinction between two characters speaking.

5. Avoid using said and its synonyms too often (when possible). If you use the same word over and over again it will become annoying and distracting to readers. While some say that “said” is invisible and unremarkable, others argue that it should be used as often as possible to maintain clarity; to avoid disrupting the narrative flow; and because it makes for good writing.

6. Use “said” in combination with adverbs like whispered, shouted, or snapped (look below for more info on each) when you want to emphasize how something is said.

7. Use “replied” when you want to indicate that dialogue is being quoted.

8. Use “exclaimed,” “shouted,” and “yelled” when you really need the reader to notice that dialogue has been said in an exaggerated or emphatic way, but try not to overdo it with these tags because they will lose their power.

9. Use “whispered” and “murmured” when someone is speaking in a voice that is too quiet to hear, but use these tags sparingly because they really only work when not many characters are around or if there’s some kind of secret being shared.

10. Use the tag “asked” when a direct question is being posed to someone who does not have the floor in dialogue.

11. There’s no need to tell readers that a character “sighed,” “muttered,” or “replied” because these actions are implied by the words they use and so they can be safely left out of dialogue tags unless you want to emphasize how something is said or shared.

12. Use “chuckled” and “giggled” when you want dialogue to seem awkward.

13. Use “began” and “continued” when a character has begun speaking, but keep in mind that these verbs do not always work because they’re easily confused with dialogue tags that indicate who is talking. For example, if a character says “Well…” and then another character continues that thought with “I don’t know,” the reader might assume it was the first character who said “Well.”

14. Use “asked” when a direct question is being posed to someone who does not have the floor in dialogue.

15. If there are many characters involved in dialogue, avoid using “replied” unless you make it clear whose turn it is to speak next, or use said with the name of whoever has the floor.

https://www.york.ac.uk/english/writing-at-york/writing-resources/

https://www.amherst.edu/academiclife/support/writingcenter/resourcesforwriters

Most Read Articles in 2023:

Sharon Baisil

Hi, I am a doctor by profession, but I love writing and publishing ebooks. I have self-published 3 ebooks which have sold over 100,000 copies. I am featured in Healthline, Entrepreneur, and in the Massachusetts Institute of Technology blog.

Whether you’re a busy professional or an aspiring author with a day job, there’s no time like now to start publishing your ebook! If you are new to this world or if you are seeking help because your book isn’t selling as well as it should be – don’t worry! You can find here resources, tips, and tricks on what works best and what doesn’t work at all.

In this blog, I will help you to pick up the right tools and resources to make your ebook a best seller.

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

different words for said in writing

421 ways to say said? Simplify dialogue instead

If you search for alternative dialogue tags to use in your story, you’ll find many lists. While some synonyms for ‘said’ read naturally (such as words conveying volume like ‘whispered’), others come across as overwritten and forced, particularly in the wrong context.

  • Post author By Jordan
  • 35 Comments on 421 ways to say said? Simplify dialogue instead

400 ways to say said? Simplify dialogue writing | Now Novel

Here are 5 simple ways to avoid clunky overuse of the common dialogue tags ‘he said/she said’ to produce compelling dialogue in your creative writing.

1. Decide if dialogue tags are necessary

Sometimes we say ‘she said’, ‘he said’ or ‘they said’ when we don’t need to. Just because it’s a writing device commonly used in dialogue doesn’t mean you have to use it. When you get to the end of a line of dialogue, ask yourself:

  • Is it clear , from context, who is speaking at this moment?
  • Do preceding narration and formatting (such as line breaks) help clarify who is speaking?

If you answered ‘yes’ to either of these, you don’t need tags.

For example, you wouldn’t need to use dialogue tags in the following example. The narration beforehand makes it clear who’s speaking, and the details of the characters’ speech give away who says what:

She picked a bit of fluff off her top, looked out the window. He wondered whether he was boring her.

  “You seem distracted.” “Hmm? You’re being intense again, Guy.”

It’s clear from the narration, description and actions who is saying what in the scene. The girls’ actions make it clear she’s the addressee of ‘You seem distracted.’ Her response also gives us a sense of  how  her date says this.

If you’re unsure about your use of dialogue tags, our novel editing services will help you make dialogue read naturally.

2. Favour unobtrusive tags

The stranger the tag, the more colorful and quirky, the more it will stick out in your dialogue. Ideally, your reader is getting as much clarity from  what characters say as they get from how they say it. Tweet This

The infographic below ( via The Puppet Show ) has some good alternatives. Yet it suggests words such as ‘enunciated’ as a synonym for ‘said’. However, if you were to use this tag randomly in the middle of dialogue it would seem arbitrary.

280 ways to say said | Now Novel

For example:

“You seem distracted,” the boy enunciated.

Because ‘to enunciate’ means ‘to say or pronounce clearly’ it doesn’t completely make sense in this context, since there isn’t a clear reason for the boy to ‘enunciate’.

However, if clarity of speech were relevant to a scene, you could use this word as a tag as it would fit. For example:

“Speak slower.” The speech therapist’s eyes were stern. “The w-wascal wabbit wan-” he enunciated, wishing each ‘R’ could be clearer.

However, you could achieve a similar effect other ways, too. For example, using ellipses, i.e. punctuation, to show concentration; pauses:

“The w-wascal … wabbit … wan … ” He wished each R could be clearer.

This shows the effort the character is putting in, thus you don’t need a dialogue tag necessarily.

When in doubt, a simple ‘said’ is often enough. Instead of letting different ways to say ‘said’ do heavy lifting, remember this sage advice from Toni Morrison :

I never say “She says softly.” If it’s not already soft , you know, I have to leave a lot of space around it so a reader can hear it’s soft.

Make a Strong Start to your Book

Join Kickstart your Novel and get professional feedback on your first three chapters and story synopsis, plus workbooks and videos.

Now Novel writer

3. Use physical gesture and motion instead of ‘said’

Other ways to say ‘she said’ avoid dialogue tags entirely. You may draw attention to the character who has said a line by immediately following speech with that character’s physical actions . These are also called action beats (descriptions of character action).

This is also when you can describe body language and facial expressions: the hunched shoulders, the furrowed brow, the defeated walk, the confident smile and so on. 

“No I absolutely will not!” She banged the pitcher of water down on the counter so hard Sarah was surprised the bottom didn’t crack open.

“He bellowed in a deep voice and stormed through the room.”

It’s clear from just this line that a female character is in the scene with Sarah, and she’s furious.

The advantages of showing who said what via movement and gesture are:

  • You can bring in scene setting elements (where the conversation is taking place and the objects surrounding characters) subtly. This adds detail and mental imagery.
  • You can ground your characters’ conversations in a sense of place. This avoids dialogue that resembles heads in vats chatting away without bodies, movement or direction.

Toni Morrison on alternatives for using said | Now Novel

4. Use ways to say ‘said’ that add atmosphere

Using gestures and actions such as the following, as outlined above, helps to lend character and emotion to dialogue. These dialogue descriptors are useful ways of writing compelling dialogue, but go light on them. Too many of these common actions will weigh your narration down with unnecessary details. Ultimately they must serve the scene you are writing, as should all the pieces of dialogue. 

  • She gazed out the window (this suggests being lost in thought, or perhaps longing)
  • He turned his away (suggesting withdrawal or retreat)
  • They elbowed each other and jumped up and down (suggesting children vying to be heard above each other)

Also think about ways to say said that convey volume and tone , i.e. atmosphere. Although Toni Morrison’s advice above is good (creating quietness using the spaces around characters’ lines), the occasional ‘she whispered’ has its place, too.

Another example is the word ‘stated’: think how this conveys a formal tone in your writing, and see if introducing a formal tones works in your story. 

Synonyms for said that show volume include:

  • Quietly: ‘Mouthed’, ‘whispered’, ‘hissed’, ‘mumbled’, ‘muttered’, ‘said, under their breath’
  • Loudly: ‘Yelled’, ‘shouted’, ‘bellowed’, ‘screamed’, ‘roared’

The above words remind us that tags that indicate volume and tone are typically reserved for extremes – of tension, emotion or environment. A kid protagonist might whisper in a creepy graveyard, a pranked neighbour might ‘bellow’ in pure outrage. Yet these are suitable tags for climactic moments. Make characters bellow or whisper every other line and the device loses its effect.

5. Switch to a narrator or other character’s reaction

Because dialogue is relational, an exchange between two or more characters, it also works to switch to another character’s reaction instead of focusing on the character who’s just finished speaking.

For example, read the following brief dialogue:

“You wouldn’t believe what happened next. I was-“ “John, can we pause this for a second, I really need the bathroom.” When I returned, I couldn’t believe he was still going. Something about what not  to do in an avalanche. As if he were the only one at the party who’d ever had any adventures.

Here, because the second character addresses John by name, we know who’s been speaking. Because of their interruption, as well as their shock that John is still speaking when they return, we also get a sense of how John speaks. It’s a one-way street, John holding the floor (and holding his listeners ransom).

As you can see from the above, there are many ways to show who is speaking in dialogue. Other ways to say said can avoid dialogue tags entirely. Use gesture, movement or reaction to show your reader details of character and setting.

Need help improving your dialogue? Get help with everything from formatting to context. Learn more about Now Novel’s editing services for novels . 

Related Posts:

  • Writing dialogue: 7 ways to write better conversations
  • Writing tense dialogue: 5 ways to add arresting tension
  • Great dialogue: 10 tips from movie dialogue pros
  • Tags ways to say said , writing dialogue

different words for said in writing

Jordan is a writer, editor, community manager and product developer. He received his BA Honours in English Literature and his undergraduate in English Literature and Music from the University of Cape Town.

35 replies on “421 ways to say said? Simplify dialogue instead”

Well this is getting bookmarked. I’ve attempted all of these different techniques, but have been fumbling my way through it. I’ve been compiling a list of all the different ways I’ve seen some of the best do it. This post in a way did all the heavy lifting. As always…EX-cellent stuff.

Thank you, 2Cents! I’m glad you found this helpful. Thanks for reading.

Wow! You’ve made a marvelous infographic! I couldn’t even imagine there are so many possibilities to say the word “say”, hah 🙂 And thanks for exaplaining the right usage of words. You’ve written a top-notch article!

Hi Andrew, thank you. That infographic isn’t our own creation, it says the website it is from in the image. But thank you! It’s a pleasure.

This was so helpful! I realized that there are more ways to add dialogue tags. Thanks for an amazing post once again…

Hi Niel, it’s a pleasure! Thank you for reading.

Thank you so much. This helped me from my novel.

–I exclaimed.?

I’m glad to hear that, Johnny. Good luck as you proceed with your novel.

thanks, I’m writing a novel about wolves with elemental wolves and I needed help with dialogue thank you sooooo much!

It’s a pleasure, Melis! Good luck with your supernatural story.

I’m writing a porno and this is going to be so helpful

I’m not sure how much dialogue that would involve, Amaury 🙂

Thank you! Using this for Wattpad, my username is KingKawaiiKiwi

It’s a pleasure, KingKawaii! Good luck with your Wattpad story 🙂

Thanks so much.This really helped a lot.

I’m glad to hear that, Toxic. Thanks for reading.

Nice stuff. I can’t get enough of all the tips. I write novels and I have always struggled with the tags. My readers often complain about my character interaction being “lifeless/robotic”. And sometimes even gets confused on who is saying what. So this type of post is a great help to me.

*Times to search for more posts*

That’s great to hear. Making sure your characters have clear identities, separate voices , will help too. Good luck!

Thanks the suggestion!

This is really helpful. I’m still in school, but I love to right and am working on my first novel. I’ve been having trouble elaborating on my dialogue, and this will help SOOOO much. It will make it a lot easier to not sound repetitive. Thank you for this great article!

It’s a pleasure, Lkennedy, thank you for reading our blog. I’m glad to hear you’ve found this helpful for building your dialogue. Good luck with finishing your first novel!

I’m currently writing a novel, so I’m often writing dialogue. I’ve been trying to make it sound like two characters have a great deal of trust in one another in their conversations.

(Eg. “Credit for your thoughts?” He murmured as his hands smoothed the front of my shirt. I leaned into his embrace, relaxing slightly. “I’m just anxious to get those morons out of command and into a brig,” I nuzzled my head into Monty’s reddish hair and sighed before continuing, ” Monty, I’m honestly not quite sure what I’ll do afterwards, though.” He paused for a moment, considering. “You’ll figure it out, lass. After all, you’ve got trouble on your mind and evil at your feet. You’ll be fine.” I lifted my head, looking at the chron on the wall. “Will you stay? I’m just wondering if, after we’ve dealt with the two dunces, you’ll want to stay.”

Indeed – I too have found your blog very helpful. My first story is a true one, about a family of beloved animals we have had the pleasure of living with. It didn’t seem too challenging writing the first two words. ‘Chapter One.’ After that it all, well – went downhill. Thankfully, I’ve completed the book – somehow! Now of course it is the unenviable task (read chore) of proofing it. Not surprisingly I’ve come across grammatical errors a plenty. As I progressed through the proofing, ‘I said’ / ‘I thought’ d-tags were cropping up WAYYYY too frequently. My hat is suitably doffed. Thank you.

A book about animals sounds great to me, Archie ( My Family and Other Animals came to mind). I’m glad to hear you’ve finished your book and that our article was helpful. If you’re thinking of getting an editor’s insights, we offer a range of editing services . Good luck with the next phase in your project.

Saying, what are you smoking? I want some, a positive phrase. I think it is. Another thinks it is not.

This will help so much ! I’m still in High-School but I’m aiming to start young ,my writing is a little wacky but this helped SO much ! ;I’m glad I found something like this!

That’s fantastic, Estefan – you’re never too young to start! Wacky writing is the best, just look at how popular writers such as Douglas Adams, Roald Dahl or Lemony Snicket are. Good luck with it.

I love this list and the writing tips as well. Thank you so much.

Thank you for your kind feedback, Joan. I’m glad you enjoyed this article. It’s a pleasure! Thanks for reading our blog.

This is really helpful! I’m writing a novel, or trying to at least. Thanks for this wonderful tool! 😀

It’s a pleasure, ES. Thank you for sharing your feedback. Good luck with your novel!

Thank you so much! I am in Middle school still but I’ve started writing a dystopian/fantasy novel and these definitely helped me out with my dialogue!

Hi JJ, I’m so glad to hear that. That sounds a fun genre mix, good luck with your novel!

Thank you very much for this blog! I’m working on a story at the moment and I always use this when I work on it.

Hi Kenneth, I’m glad to hear that. It’s a pleasure. What’s your story about? Good luck with it.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Pin It on Pinterest

JPA Menu Logo

350 Other Words For Said For Your Dialogue Writing

350 different words for said

Do you need more synonyms to find other words for said? While it might seem like a good idea to vary your vocabulary, it’s important to remember that you should use dialogue tags sparingly.

The best way to improve your dialogue is to focus on your characters’ words and the emotions they are conveying.

Stephen King wrote in On Writing , regarding dialogue tags: “The best form of dialogue attribution is said, as in he said, she said, Bill said, Monica said.” King goes on to say that too many dialogue tags can distract the reader from the story.

However, there are times that you need to use a dialogue tag other than said. Here are 350 for you to choose from.

Avoid using adverbs

There are times when you can use said synonyms to avoid adding an adverb to a dialogue tag.

They help you to convey an extra element of emotion or tone of voice .

When you use a descriptive dialogue reporting verb, you can almost always avoid the use of adverbs.

I am sure every writer has read this quote about adverbs by Stephen King .

“I believe the road to hell is paved with adverbs, and I will shout it from the rooftops.”

When you are writing dialogue, you need to be aware that dialogue tags are the tones of voice of the author and not the characters.

You should keep your dialogue tags to a minimum.

When only two characters are speaking, it is often possible to avoid using them almost completely in a conversation between the characters.

But when dialogue tag verbs are necessary, think about your choice of vocabulary.

However, go very easy on your use of adverbs .

Other words for said

350 other words for said

Perhaps in a novel or short story, selecting other words for said can help you.

The infographic at the end of this article gives you a full list of 350 words you can use in place of said.

There is also a full-text listing with words for said categorized by emotion or association.

Using a one-word reporting verb is a much better alternative than adding an adverb to a dialogue tag .

They are quick and to the point. But they still give a sense of an understandable emotive description.

Here are a few simple examples.

Bad : “I want to go home,” she said sadly.

Better : “I want to go home,” she cried.

Bad : “Where did they find it?” he asked curiously.

Better : “Where did they find it?” he wondered.

Bad : “Why did you do that?” he asked angrily.

Better : “Why did you do that?” he snarled.

Finding synonyms quickly

An easy way to find a new synonym is to use an online grammar checker.

If you are a Grammarly user, you are only one right-click away from a long list of suggested replacements for words to use instead of said.

Find said synonyms with Grammarly

If you use ProWritingAid, you can get even more help with both simple or contextural choices for said synonyms.

Find said synonyms by emotion with Prowritingaid

Other words for said by emotion

Before we get to the full list of 350 verbs to replace said, here is a quick, concise selection.

They are listed by emotions and situations that you might want to use as a quick reference for your characters’ conversations.

Answering or responding

answered, conceded, concurred, explained, replied, responded

Confusion or uncertainty

doubtfully, guessed, hesitated, vacillated

Questioning or curiosity

asked, inquired, puzzled, queried, questioned, quizzed, wondered

bleated, blurted, exclaimed, gasped, sputtered

Sadness or sorrow

bawled, bewailed, blubbered, cried, lamented, sniffled, sobbed, wailed, wept

Provocation or incitement

bragged, gibed, jeered, lied, nagged, provoked

Romance and love

breathed, promised, purred, sighed

Persuasion and inducing

advised, appealed, asserted, begged, beseeched, cajoled, entreated, implored, urged

Happiness and joy

beamed, bubbled, cheered, chirped, chuckled, giggled, grinned, joked, sang, smiled, trilled

Anger and rage

barked, cursed, exploded, fumed, growled, hissed, raged, ranted, roared, scowled, snarled, swore, yelled

Disgust or loathing

cringed, grimaced, groused, grunted, rasped, sniffed, snorted

Fear or anxiety

gulped, prayed, quavered, shrieked, squealed, stuttered, whimpered, whined

Embarrassment

admitted, confessed, hesitated, mumbled

350 Synonyms for said infographic

Now for the full list of verbs you can use instead of said.

You can use the infographic below for your writing reference. Or you can share it on your blog with your readers.

If you prefer, you can also  view and download the infographic in pdf.

350 other words for said you can use - infographic

The full-text listing of 350 other words for said by emotion and association

Feel free to copy and paste these words to replace said   for your own use.

The emotion of ANGER

accused, argued, badgered, barked, bellowed, bickered, chastised, chided, clipped, clucked, commanded, complained, corrected, countered, cursed, dared, demanded, disagreed, exploded, fumed, goaded, growled, grumbled, harshed, hissed, hollered, howled, huffed, insulted, interrupted, muttered, objected, ordered, raged, ranted, retaliated, retorted, roared, scoffed, scolded, scowled, screamed, screeched, seethed, shot, shouted, shrilled, snapped, snarled, sneered, spluttered, stormed, swore, taunted, threatened, warned, yelled

The action of ANSWERING

answered, clarified, conceded, concurred, deflected, disputed, explained, interjected, protested, reassured, remarked, replied, responded, stated

The emotion of DISGUST

cringed, grimaced, groused, grunted, mocked, rasped, refused, smirked, sniffed, snorted

The emotion of EMBARRASSMENT

The emotion of FEAR

babbled, croaked, denied, doubted, fretted, groaned, gulped, moaned, panted, prayed, quavered, shrieked, slurred, squeaked, squealed, stammered, stuttered, whimpered, whined, whispered

The emotion of HAPPINESS

approved, beamed, bubbled, burst, cackled, chatted, chattered, cheered, chirped, chortled, chorused, chuckled, complimented, congratulated, cooed, crowed, effused, exulted, forgave, giggled, grinned, gurgled, gushed, hummed, joked, praised, resounded, sang, simpered, smiled, thanked, trilled

The emotion of LOVE or ROMANCE

breathed, expressed, proclaimed, promised, purred, sighed

Words associated with PERSUASION

advised, appealed, asserted, assured, avowed, begged, beseeched, cajoled, claimed, convinced, encouraged, entreated, implored, needled, pleaded, stressed, suggested, urged

Words associated with PROVOCATION

bragged, exasperated, gibed, jested, jeered, joked, lied, mimicked, nagged, provoked, quipped, sassed

The emotion of SADNESS

apologized, bawled, bewailed, blubbered, comforted, consoled, cried, lamented, mumbled, murmured, sighed, sniffled, sobbed, spilled, wailed, wept

The emotion of SURPRISE

bleated, blurted, exclaimed, gasped, marveled, perplexed, sputtered, yelped

Words associated with QUESTIONS or CURIOSITY

asked, challenged, coaxed, hinted, inquired, pleaded, puzzled, queried, questioned, quizzed, wondered

Words associated with UNCERTAINTY or CONFUSION

cautioned, doubtfully, guessed, hesitated, vacillated

NON-EMOTIVE

acknowledged, acquiesced, added, addressed, affirmed, agreed, alliterated, announced, articulated, began, bet, boasted, boomed, broke in, called, chimed in, coached, commented, concluded, confided, confirmed, considered, continued, contributed, conversed, deadpanned, decided, declared, defended, demurred, described, disclosed, divulged, drawled, echoed, emphasized, ended, finished, gloated, greeted, hypothesized, imitated, implied, informed, insinuated, insisted, intoned, instructed, jabbered, lectured, lisped, maintained, mentioned, monotoned, mouthed, mused, motioned, nodded, noted, notified, observed, offered, opined, pestered, piped, pointed out, pondered, prattled, pressed, pronounced, proposed, put in, quoted, rambled, rattled on, read, reasoned, recalled, reckoned, recited, recounted, reiterated, related, remembered, reminded, repeated, reported, requested, restated, revealed, rhymed, ridiculed, sibilated, sneezed, snickered, speculated, spoke, started, surmised, sympathized, teased, tempted, tested, testified, theorized, thought aloud, told, uttered, ventured, verified, volunteered, vowed, went on, wheezed, wished, yakked, yapped, yawned

Summary of words other than said

Synonyms can always improve your writing by avoiding repetition.

Finding new words and new ways to say things is one of the pleasures of being a writer.

It doesn’t mean that you need to use long, uncommon, or complex vocabulary.

There are usually very simple alternatives for most words .

Considering other words instead of said is always a good idea. That’s even if said is a word that most people are blind to when reading.

By replacing said with a more active reporting verb, you can quickly add much more descriptive value to your novel or short story.

Related reading: How To Check Dialogue Writing Consistency In Your Manuscript

About The Author

Avatar for Derek Haines

Derek Haines

More articles.

The Hardest Part Of Writing

The Hardest Part Of Writing Is Always The Beginning

Referencing Acronyms in Writing

Why It Is Essential To Reference Acronyms In Writing

Card Shark And Card Sharp Are Both Correct

Card Shark And Card Sharp Are Both Correct In Writing

5 thoughts on “350 other words for said for your dialogue writing”.

Avatar for Hayden

Thank you so much for this! I’m currently writing a book right now and finding synonyms for said is so hard! I really do appreciate this!

Avatar for Ken

Thank you so very much for your generosity, time and shared talent in making this information possible. It will be an invaluable resource in my own writing efforts. I’m glad there are people like you around. Again. Thanks.

Avatar for Marie Antionette

This article has helped me soooo very much! I use this article everytime I go to write more of my stories and (sort of) book. The organization into categories has been a life saver. Thank you!

Avatar for Shortstory Woman

I am so glad to have found u (here & on Twitter) All your articles and tips are like Gold to me!!! Thank you so much for your work and Keep it up like this!!!!! I adore your work and love your tips, it is like having a really great and wise Online Coach! Everytime I take a visit here, I get a better writer / Blogger / Promoter too!!! U Rock!!!

Avatar for Derek Haines

Thank you. I’m happy to hear that our content is useful to you.

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

To prevent spam, all comments are moderated and will be published upon approval. Submit your comment only once, please.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

Privacy Overview

Love English

Another Word for SAID: 80+ Useful Said Synonyms to Improve Your Vocabulary

Are you tired of using the word “said” repeatedly in your writing? We know we are! That’s why we’ve put together a list of synonyms for “said” to help spice up your writing and make it more interesting. Whether you’re a student, a blogger, or a professional writer, these synonyms will help you avoid repetition and keep your readers engaged.

In this article, we’ll provide you with over 80 synonyms for “said” that you can use in your writing. Unlike other synonyms that reveal a speaker’s feelings, attitude, or intentions, “said” simply states factual information. Using different synonyms for “said” allows you to convey the tone and mood of the conversation or dialogue without explicitly stating it.

Said Synonyms

Synonyms for Said

Said Definition

Said is a verb that means to express something in words, especially to express a thought or opinion. It is often used when quoting someone or writing dialogue.

For example:

  • She said , “I’m tired of this argument.”
  • “I don’t think that’s a good idea,” he said .

Said is a past tense verb, and it is used to indicate that something was spoken or written in the past. It is a common word that is used frequently in written and spoken language to indicate that someone has expressed a thought or idea.

Common Synonyms for Said

There are many words that can be used in place of “said” when quoting someone or writing dialogue:

  • articulated

Which word you choose will depend on the context of the conversation and the tone of the speaker. Some words, like “replied” and “answered,” are more neutral and straightforward, while others, like “exclaimed” and “murmured,” convey more emotion or intensity.

List of Said Synonyms

There are many different words to use instead of “said” in English. Here are 88  English synonyms for said you can improve your vocabulary every day.

Commonly Used Synonyms for Said

As writers, we often use the word “said” to attribute dialogue to a character. However, using the same word repeatedly can become monotonous and dull. That’s where synonyms come in handy. Here are some commonly used synonyms for “said” that can help spice up your writing:

  • Stated : This word can be used to indicate that the character is making a formal declaration or announcement.
  • Declared : Similar to “stated,” this word is often used when a character is making a bold or forceful statement.
  • Exclaimed : Use this word when a character is speaking loudly or with great emotion.
  • Whispered : This word is used when a character is speaking softly or in a hushed tone.
  • Muttered : Use this word when a character is speaking under their breath or in a grumbling manner.
  • Sighed : This word is used to indicate that a character is speaking in a resigned or discouraged manner.
  • Added : This word can be used to indicate that a character is contributing to a conversation or adding to a point that has already been made.

Synonyms for Said in Narrative Writing

Descriptive synonyms.

Descriptive synonyms are words that help convey the tone or emotion behind the dialogue. Here are some examples:

  • Exclaimed : Used to show excitement or enthusiasm. Example: “I can’t believe it!” she exclaimed.
  • Muttered : Used to show quiet or mumbled speech. Example: “I don’t know,” he muttered.
  • Whispered : Used to show secretive or hushed speech. Example: “Meet me tonight,” she whispered.
  • Boomed : Used to show loud or commanding speech. Example: “Stop right there!” he boomed.
  • Sighed : Used to show disappointment or resignation. Example: “I guess we’ll have to try again,” she sighed.

Action-Based Synonyms

Action-based synonyms are words that help show how the dialogue is being said. Here are some examples:

  • Screamed : Used to show loud and intense speech. Example: “Get out of here!” she screamed.
  • Laughed : Used to show jovial or humorous speech. Example: “That’s hilarious!” he laughed.
  • Snarled : Used to show angry or hostile speech. Example: “I don’t have time for this,” he snarled.
  • Squeaked : Used to show high-pitched or nervous speech. Example: “I don’t know,” she squeaked.
  • Stammered : Used to show hesitant or stuttering speech. Example: “I-I don’t know what to say,” he stammered.

Synonyms for Said in Dialogue

In writing dialogue, it’s important to use dialogue tags to indicate who is speaking. While “said” is a common tag, using it repeatedly can become monotonous. That’s why it’s important to have a variety of synonyms for “said” to keep your dialogue interesting and engaging.

Here are some synonyms for “said” that you can use in your writing:

  • Exclaimed:  Used to indicate a sudden or strong emotion, such as surprise or excitement. Example: “I can’t believe we won!” she exclaimed.
  • Whispered:  Used to indicate a soft or secretive tone. Example: “Don’t tell anyone,” he whispered.
  • Muttered:  Used to indicate a low or indistinct tone. Example: “I can’t hear you,” she muttered.
  • Sighed:  Used to indicate a resigned or disappointed tone. Example: “I guess we’ll have to try again next time,” he sighed.
  • Boasted:  Used to indicate a proud or arrogant tone. Example: “I knew I could do it,” she boasted.
  • Inquired:  Used to indicate a questioning or curious tone. Example: “What do you mean?” he inquired.

There are many more synonyms for “said” that you can use in your writing. Just remember to use them sparingly and only when they add value to the dialogue.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some synonyms for ‘said’?

There are many synonyms for ‘said’, such as ‘stated’, ‘uttered’, ‘expressed’, ‘voiced’, ‘pronounced’, ‘declared’, ‘announced’, ‘remarked’, ‘noted’, ‘commented’, ‘observed’, ‘mentioned’, ‘reported’, ‘disclosed’, ‘revealed’, ‘conveyed’, ‘imparted’, and ‘communicated’.

What are some alternative words for ‘said’?

Some alternative words for ‘said’ include ‘whispered’, ‘muttered’, ‘shouted’, ‘yelled’, ‘screamed’, ‘exclaimed’, ‘cried’, ‘chanted’, ‘recited’, ‘uttered’, ‘articulated’, ‘enunciated’, ‘vocalized’, ‘mouthed’, ‘spoke’, ‘talked’, ‘conversed’, and ‘chatted’.

Can you suggest some other phrases to use instead of ‘said’?

Yes, some other phrases to use instead of ‘said’ include ‘added’, ‘agreed’, ‘asserted’, ‘claimed’, ‘conceded’, ‘contended’, ‘denied’, ‘doubted’, ’emphasized’, ‘insisted’, ‘objected’, ‘pointed out’, ‘protested’, ‘questioned’, ‘replied’, ‘responded’, ‘retorted’, ‘suggested’, ‘warned’, and ‘acknowledged’.

What are some commonly used phrases to replace ‘said’?

Some commonly used phrases to replace ‘said’ include ‘according to’, ‘as stated by’, ‘as claimed by’, ‘as reported by’, ‘as mentioned by’, ‘as disclosed by’, ‘as revealed by’, ‘as conveyed by’, ‘as imparted by’, ‘as communicated by’, ‘as commented by’, ‘as observed by’, and ‘as noted by’.

What are some words to use instead of ‘said’?

Some words to use instead of ‘said’ include ‘affirmed’, ‘alleged’, ‘avowed’, ‘boasted’, ‘confessed’, ‘confirmed’, ‘declared’, ‘denounced’, ‘described’, ‘elaborated’, ‘explained’, ‘indicated’, ‘insinuated’, ‘intimated’, ‘maintained’, ‘noted’, ‘proclaimed’, ‘recounted’, ‘revealed’, ‘stated’, ‘testified’, and ‘voiced’.

What are some frequently used synonyms for ‘said’?

Some frequently used synonyms for ‘said’ include ‘told’, ‘mentioned’, ‘spoke’, ‘uttered’, ‘expressed’, ‘voiced’, ‘declared’, ‘announced’, ‘remarked’, ‘noted’, ‘commented’, and ‘observed’.

Last Updated on November 8, 2023

OKAY Synonyms

7 thoughts on “Another Word for SAID: 80+ Useful Said Synonyms to Improve Your Vocabulary”

Very useful and learned lots of “said is dead” words.

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

404 Not found

IMAGES

  1. 90 Ways to Say SAID in English

    different words for said in writing

  2. Another Word For SAID: 80+ Useful Said Synonyms To Improve Your

    different words for said in writing

  3. Teaching Writing: Ways to Say Said

    different words for said in writing

  4. Different ways to say said in english, Other Words For SAID, words for

    different words for said in writing

  5. 95 Other Ways to Say SAID in English

    different words for said in writing

  6. Other Ways to Say SAID

    different words for said in writing

VIDEO

  1. DIFFERENT WORDS SPELLING FINDING

COMMENTS

  1. 200+ Other Words For Said: Synonyms to Spice up Your Writing

    Any time a writer is referencing the words or thoughts expressed by another person, whether that be thoughts expressed verbally or in writing, an appropriate way to introduce--or attribute--that person's thoughts is with the phrase "said."

  2. 270+ Other Words For "Said" To Supercharge Your Writing

    To help you find that perfect synonym to inject action and emotion into your dialogue, here are over 270 other words for said: Neutral/multi-purpose words Happy/excited words Sad/upset words Angry words Annoyed words Frightened/pained words Prideful words NEW REEDSY COURSE How to Write a Novel

  3. 130+ Other Words for "Said": Using Synonyms In Your Writing

    Advertisement List of Synonyms for "Said" Synonyms for said help you avoid repetition and make your writing more interesting. A list of said synonyms for a neutral tone could include: advised announced asserted

  4. 68 Creative Ways to Say 'Said' in Writing

    Written by MasterClass Last updated: Aug 26, 2021 • 2 min read When you write a lot of dialogue, it's easy to find yourself repeating certain verbs to describe the act of speaking. The most common of these verbs, or dialogue tags, is "said," and many authors would like nothing more than a reliable way to avoid repeating it over and over again.

  5. 550+ Alternative Words for "Said"

    ajbarnett Updated: Nov 24, 2023 10:15 PM EST Here are over 550 alternative words for "said"! patpitchpaya | Canva Alternatives to the Word "Said" Is it your dream, your fantasy, to write a bestseller? Do you have a story in your head, but the word "said" keeps getting in the way?

  6. SAID Synonyms: 184 Similar and Opposite Words

    1 as in told to express (a thought or emotion) in words why don't you just say what's on your mind? Synonyms & Similar Words told

  7. Examples of Other Ways to Say "Said"

    "We had burritos yesterday." "You pick, then." The dialogue tag in the above example can even be cut out altogether if you make it clear that a conversation is about to happen between two characters. As Priya's stomach rumbled, she started thinking about what she and Jason should eat that night. "Where do you want to go for dinner?

  8. 10 Other Words for Said With Examples

    Home Blog Word Choice 10 "Said" Synonyms You Can Use in All Types of Writing 10 "Said" Synonyms You Can Use in All Types of Writing powered by LanguageTool Elevate your writing by adding these ten synonyms of "said" to your vocabulary. They can be more accurate and help you avoid repetitiveness throughout your text.

  9. 10 Words To Use Instead Of "Said"

    If you're writing dialogue, sometimes you need a word that conveys more emotion than the simple "said." Here are 10 options to try instead of "said."

  10. 316 Other Words for Said (+ Tips to Use Them)

    It's a common mistake for new and inexperienced writers. Some of you might be familiar with My Immortal, an infamous Harry Potter fanfiction that was so awful it became a meme. This infamous example can show what happens if you only use words other than "said": "I'm so sorry." he said in a shy voice. "That's all right.

  11. PDF 100 Synonyms for Said

    How to Use 100 Synonyms for Said: When teaching narrative writing, students (like adults - and even some authors!) will overuse "said" when adding dialogue tags. 100 Synonyms for Said will help students use other descriptors, such as shrieked, gloated, or quipped.

  12. Dialogue words: Other words for 'said' (and what to avoid)

    438 Comments Writing effective, compelling dialogue has multiple elements. It's not only what characters say but how they say it that matters. Read other words for said as well as tips for keeping your dialogue natural and engrossing: What is a 'dialogue tag'? Tags (like name tags) identify.

  13. Over 300 words to use instead of said

    (verb) to talk idly, irrationally, excessively, or foolishly; chatter or prattle. "Oh my gosh, it's so awesome, and I got it at FAO Schwartz last year, and I wish you could share it with me..." Phil babbled. (submitted by Mia M.) (verb) to converse in a familiar or informal manner. "I had a quiz in math today, which I got an "A" on, by the way.

  14. Other Words for "Said"

    "He said" and "she said" are the easiest way to explain who is talking or who you are quoting. However, when you use "said" over and over, it makes your writing boring and repetitive.

  15. 300+ Ways to Say "Said" ("Say"): A Word List for Writers

    300+ Ways to Say "Said" ("Say"): A Word List for Writers He Said. She Said. They Said. Said is a convenient word when you need it, and some pundits claim you should never use anything else, ever, to attribute dialogue. I disagree.

  16. 100+ Other Words for "Said"

    Advice > Better Words For "Said" 100+ better words for "Said" Created: March 13, 2021 Updated: November 2, 2021 10 minute read This guide will cover the following: 1. Positive words for "said" 2. Negative words for "said" 3. Neutral words for "said" 4. Words that ask a question 5. Words that give an answer 6. Crafting great dialogues

  17. 500 Dialogue Tags Examples using other Words for "Said"

    "Nice to meet you." The word "said" is the most common dialogue tag but there are other words that can be used as well. You can use any of the following synonyms instead of "said" if it better fits with your character's tone of voice or the mood of the story. Laughed Snorted Yelled

  18. 421 Ways to Say Said? Simplify Dialogue Instead

    35 Comments If you search for alternative dialogue tags to use in your story, you'll find many lists. While some synonyms for 'said' read naturally (such as words conveying volume like 'whispered'), others come across as overwritten and forced, particularly in the wrong context. Here are 5 simple ways to avoid clunky overuse of 'he said/she said':

  19. 350 Other Words For Said For Your Dialogue Writing

    Sadness or sorrow Provocation or incitement Romance and love Persuasion and inducing Happiness and joy Anger and rage Disgust or loathing Fear or anxiety Embarrassment 350 Synonyms for said infographic The full-text listing of 350 other words for said by emotion and association Summary of words other than said Avoid using adverbs

  20. Another Word For SAID: 80+ Useful Said Synonyms To Improve Your

    There are many words that can be used in place of "said" when quoting someone or writing dialogue: replied answered retorted countered exclaimed stated declared expressed

  21. Writing Dialogue: Stick to Said and Using Dialogue Tags

    Part I of this two-part post talked about two key aspects of writing dialogue. First, dialogue isn't usually the place to use complete sentences because most people in everyday conversations speak in phrases and single words. Second, effective dialogue takes correct punctuation so the reader doesn't get yanked out of the story by a poorly ...

  22. What are other words to use instead of "Said" in writing?

    Readers ignore it. If you only have two people talking, you can remove tags completely after you establish the conversation flow of who's talking. You can use "asked" if you need to. Or "yelled" once or twice. Most other words pull readers out completely because they aren't as invisible as "said".

  23. 200+ Other Words For Said: Synonyms to Spice up Your Writing

    One regarding the words that comes up most commonly in various types of script, since fiction to academic writing, is one word "said." Any time a writer are referencing the words or thoughts expresses by another per, whether that be thoughts expressed verbally or in writing, an appropriate way to introduce--or attribute--that person's thoughts is by of word "said."

  24. Other words for "said"

    Other words for "said" Dystopian Writing Prompts. Writing Prompts For Writers. Creative Writing Tips. Writing Inspiration Prompts. Writing Promps. Book Writing Tips. Writing Words. Writing Help. Writing Skills. Marzuuli. 8 followers. 1 Comment. h Thank you! Why is this so perfect? Like especially the categories. More like this. More like this.