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!
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.
Applauded |
Congratulated |
Prattled |
Approved |
Consoled |
Preened |
Assured |
Cooed |
Proclaimed |
Babbled |
Crowed |
Professed |
Bantered |
Encouraged |
Promised |
Beamed |
Giggled |
Quipped |
Blathered |
Greeted |
Reassured |
Blithered |
Hooted |
Reckoned |
Boasted |
Jabbered |
Remarked |
Bragged |
Jested |
Remembered |
Bubbled |
Joked |
Sang |
Cheered |
Laughed |
Smiled |
Chortled |
Marveled |
Soothed |
Chorused |
Nodded |
Spoke |
Chuckled |
Offered |
Teased |
Comforted |
Piped |
Vowed |
Confided |
Praised |
Yakked |
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.
Bawled |
Gurgled |
Sobbed |
Choked |
Moaned |
Wailed |
Coughed |
Sighed |
Wept |
Cried |
Sniffed |
Whimpered |
Groaned |
Sniffled |
Whined |
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.
Accused |
Disparaged |
Rejected |
Badgered |
Fumed |
Reprimanded |
Barked |
Griped |
Reproached |
Bellowed |
Groused |
Roared |
Berated |
Growled |
Sassed |
Boomed |
Grunted |
Scoffed |
Censured |
Harassed |
Scolded |
Chastised |
Hissed |
Scorned |
Chided |
Hollered |
Shouted |
Clucked |
Interrupted |
Smirked |
Commanded |
Jeered |
Snapped |
Complained |
Jibed |
Snarled |
Corrected |
Mocked |
Sneered |
Criticized |
Muttered |
Snickered |
Demanded |
Nagged |
Snorted |
Denied |
Ranted |
Stormed |
Deried |
Rebuked |
Taunted |
Dismissed |
Rebuffed |
Threatened |
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”!
Blurted |
Gawked |
Spouted |
Divulged |
Leered |
Started |
Exclaimed |
Let slip |
Wondered |
Gaped |
Ogled |
|
Gasped |
Spilled |
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.
Agonized |
Hesitated |
Shrilled |
Begged |
Implored |
Shuddered |
Beseeched |
Mumbled |
Spluttered |
Blanched |
Murmured |
Spooked |
Bleated |
Paled |
Sputtered |
Brooded |
Panicked |
Squeaked |
Cautioned |
Panted |
Stammered |
Confessed |
Pleaded |
Started |
Cowered |
Quaked |
Tensed |
Cringed |
Quavered |
Trembled |
Croaked |
Quivered |
Warned |
Faltered |
Recoiled |
Whispered |
Fretted |
Screamed |
Worried |
Gasped |
Shivered |
Yelped |
Gulped |
Shrieked |
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”!
Added |
Depicted |
Rejoined |
Advised |
Elucidated |
Remarked |
Answered |
Explained |
Replied |
Clarified |
Illuminated |
Responded |
Defined |
Illustrated |
Retorted |
Delineated |
Portrayed |
Returned |
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.
Advanced |
Claimed |
Insisted |
Appealed |
Contended |
Maintained |
Argued |
Corroborated |
Posited |
Attested |
Countered |
Proposed |
Authenticated |
Declared |
Refuted |
Bespoke |
Defended |
Substantiated |
Certified |
Emphasized |
|
Challenged |
Held |
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.
Analyzed |
Critiqued |
Gauged |
Appraised |
Estimated |
Interposed |
Assayed |
Evaluated |
Interpreted |
Assessed |
Examined |
Judged |
Concluded |
Explicated |
Reviewed |
Considered |
Figured |
Surveyed |
Words to Use Instead of “Said” That Are Implicative
Try using these alternative words for “said” that imply meaning.
Adumbrated |
Hinted |
Predicted |
Alluded |
Implied |
Professed |
Connoted |
Indicated |
Signaled |
Foreshadowed |
Insinuated |
Signified |
Forewarned |
Intimated |
Stated |
Heralded |
Portended |
Suggested |
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!
Adjured |
Inquired |
Questioned |
Asked |
Inspected |
Quizzed |
Begged |
Interrogated |
Requested |
Demanded |
Perused |
Researched |
Exhorted |
Pondered |
Scrutinized |
Explored |
Probed |
Searched |
Implored |
Queried |
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.
Accepted |
Conceded |
Owned |
Acknowledged |
Confessed |
Recognized |
Admitted |
Disclosed |
Reported |
Affirmed |
Divulged |
Revealed |
Alleged |
Exposed |
Volunteered |
Allowed |
Granted |
|
Betrayed |
Imparted |
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!
Journalism
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.
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:
She crossed her arms angrily. “So you weren’t planning to tell me about your trip to Paris until after you were already gone?”
“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.
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.
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.
Have friends who also need help with test prep? Share this article!
About the Author
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.
If you are reading this article, you are most definitely looking for words to use instead of said. As you probably know, a good writer has a very good grasp of the English language and knows all the intricacies of the English grammar. However, did you know that you also need to have a rich vocabulary to write well? Your professors will really appreciate your writing and give you bonus points if you manage to avoid overused words. And what better way to do this than by getting rid of all those “said” in your essays?
Table of Contents
- Interested in Learning Some Words to Use Instead of Said?
- Why Use Other Words for Said?
- What Are Dialogue Tags?
- The List of Words That Can Replace Said
- Words That Rhyme With Said
- Other Words for Said by Emotion
- Other Words for Said in an Essay
- Better Words Than Said
- More Words to Replace Said
Interested in Learning Some Words to Use Instead of Said?
You know there are lots of other words for said, right? However, there are times when you simply cannot decide which one to use. Students often don’t have much time to spend searching for words. And you definitely can’t spend an hour looking for other words to use instead of said when you need to finish 3 essays in 2 days. This is why you will love our list of words to use instead of said. We have asked out seasoned writers to put together a list of the best words that can replace it. But before we get to the list (which is 100% free, by the way), let’s explain why you need to learn some words that replace said.
Why Use Other Words for Said?
The main reason why you should find some replacement words for said is the fact that using “said” too many times in an essay can lead to a penalty. Let’s face it: it gets boring to see this word everywhere. In addition, the word “said” is often used to mark a dialogue, which is often quoted. Do you want all the dialogue in your writing to look the same? Probably not. Here are some other reasons why you need some excellent alternative words for said:
- Your professor wants to see that you have a rich vocabulary. Using “said” too many times just shows that you are unable to find any other fitting words.
- There are words that are much more powerful than “said.” These words will emphasize certain dialogues and will even allow you to describe specific emotions to your readers.
- Our other words for said list contains many items that can get you some bonus points. Remember that your essay should be 100% original and very interesting. Basically, it should stand out from all the others. These words will help you do just that.
What Are Dialogue Tags?
You need some other words than said, we know. However, just picking up a list of words for said and using them indiscriminately won’t help you become a better writer. Why? Because you need to be able to use words other than said as dialogue tags. And you need to know which words work best for certain dialogues. These magic different words for said are the dialogue tags.
A dialogue tag is used to identify dialogue, obviously. Said is a dialogue tag in most cases. For example: “I really like what you’ve done with your hair,” Josh said. Other words instead of said can indicate certain things, such as tone, volume or even emotion. Here is a great example, using the sentence above: “I really like what you’ve done with your hair,” complimented Josh. Yes, “complimented” can replace “said” and be used as an expression of admiration. The dialogue looks a lot better now, doesn’t it?
The List of Words That Can Replace Said
Without further ado, let’s introduce the definitive list of 100 words to use instead of said. And remember, you need to be careful where you use some of these words. While many of them work almost anywhere, some words work only in very specific circumstances.
Words That Rhyme With Said
If you are looking for some words to use instead of said, you may be interested in choosing some that rhyme with it. Or you may be writing a poem and need some ideas. Here are some of the best words that rhyme with said:
- ahead
- behead
- underbred
- stead
- embed
- bestead
- purebred
- bred
- unthread
- dread
- bled
- wed
- sled
- thoroughbred
- dead
- med
- widespread
- shred
- led
- fed
Other Words for Said by Emotion
So, what words can you say instead of said? You can play on emotions and use some words that relay a certain emotion to your readers. Here are some of the best such words you can use in your essays or any other writing projects:
Answering
- Added
- Concurred
- Remarked
- Replied
- Explained
Persuading
- Advised
- Encouraged
- Begged
- Stressed
- Assured
Expressing Happiness
- Beamed
- Exulted
- Giggled
- Complimented
- Cheered
Expressing Sadness
- Cried
- Wept
- Sobbed
- Lamented
- Bewailed
Other Words for Said in an Essay
Are you looking for words to say other than said and need some of the best ideas? No problem! We have a list of words that work almost anywhere. Just make sure you use them in the proper context:
- Reassured
- Retorted
- Explained
- Responded
- Attested
- Thought
- Stressed
- Divulged
- Dictated
- Sanctioned
- Agreed
- Lectured
- Replied
- Disrupted
- Foretold
- Announced
- Fumed
- Began
- Opined
- Stormed
- Acquiesced
- Argued
- Proclaimed
- Estimated
- Refuted
Better Words Than Said
OK, so what are better words for said? There are many words besides said that you can use in your writing. However, no all of them are pleasant or easy to use. Here are some words that are better than said and that work almost anywhere:
- Remarked
- Blurted
- Responded
- Leered
- Gasped
- Answered
- Divulged
- Defended
- Implored
- Let slip
- Certified
- Searched
- Wondered
- Emphasized
- Held
- Spilled
- Gawked
- Exclaimed
- Scrutinized
- Exhorted
More Words to Replace Said
If you need even more words for said, you’re at the right place. We have many more words that can replace said right here. Check out the list below and pick some of the best ideas to use in your essays or other projects:
- jibed
- comforted
- corrected
- announced
- puzzled
- chimed in
- sobbed
- spat
- replied
- retorted
- pronounced
- theorized
- quizzed
- whined
- sighed
- grumbled
- dared
- opined
- confirmed
- drawled
Do You Need Some Help?
We realize that our list of words for said is limited to just 100 examples. As you probably realize, there are hundreds of other words that can be used. The truth is that you won’t find a list that has all the words that can replace “said” in writing or in speech. However, if you are struggling with your essay and need some quick help finding words to replace said, you can get some assistance from our professional ENL writers. They’ve written and edited hundreds of essays and research papers, and they are all expert English writers. They’ll help you with some words to say instead of said in no time and can even take a look at your paper and suggest some edits that will greatly improve your chances of getting an A+.
Finally, you realize that there are thousands of words like said that can be used to replace this word. What you need to keep in mind is that each word has a specific meaning. Some words can express emotions, which are extremely powerful when used correctly. Our 100 words for said are some of the best you can use in almost any circumstance. But if you need more words to use instead of said, or if you just need some help with that difficult essay, an experienced English writer is definitely your best choice.
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
Acknowledged Added Agreed Announced Articulated Asserted Backtracked Began Blurted Called Commented Communicated Conferred Considered Contended Declared Denoted |
Drawled Elaborated Emitted Ended Enunciated Expounded Expressed Greeted Interjected Mentioned Noted Observed Orated Persisted Predicted Pronounced Quipped |
Recited Reckoned Related Remarked Repeated Replied Responded Shared Slurred Stated Suggested Told Urged Uttered Vocalized Voiced |
Happy/excited words
Approved Babbled Beamed Bubbled Chattered Cheered Chimed in Chortled Chuckled Congratulated |
Complimented Crooned Effused Exclaimed Giggled Grinned Gushed Jabbered Joked |
Laughed Praised Rejoiced Sang Smiled Thanked Tittered Trilled Yammered |
Sad/upset words
Agonized Apologized Bawled Blubbered Cried Fretted |
Grieved Groaned Lamented Mewled Moaned Mumbled |
Sobbed Sighed Sniffled Sniveled Wailed Wept |
Angry words
Accused Choked Badgered Barked Bellowed Chastised Cursed Demanded Exploded Fumed |
Glowered Growled Hissed Insulted Raged Ranted Reprimanded Roared Scolded |
Screamed Screeched Snarled Spat Shouted Swore Thundered Vociferated Yelled |
Annoyed words
Bleated Complained Condemned Criticized Exhaled Groused |
Grumbled Grunted Heaved Insisted Mocked Rasped |
Rejoined Retorted Scoffed Smirked Snapped Whined |
Frightened/pained words
Coughed Cautioned Gulped Howled Keened Panted Prayed |
Quavered Screamed Shrieked Shuddered Squalled Squealed Trembled |
Wailed Warbled Whimpered Yelped Yowled Warned |
Prideful words
Advertised Bloviated Boasted Boomed Bossed Bragged Broadcasted |
Crowed Exhorted Dictated Gloated Moralized Ordered |
Prattled Preached Sermonized Snorted Swaggered Trumpeted |
FREE COURSE
How to Write Believable Dialogue
Master the art of dialogue in 10 five-minute lessons.
Words to express uncertainty
Breathed Doubted Faltered Hesitated Lilted Mumbled |
Murmured Muttered Shrugged Squeaked Stammered |
Stuttered Swallowed Trailed off Vacillated Whispered |
Words that make fun
Derided Jeered Heckled Lampooned Mocked |
Mimicked Parodied Ridiculed Satirized Scorned |
Spoofed Sneered Snickered Taunted Teased |
Words that ask a question
Asked Begged Challenged Contemplated Guessed Hinted Hypothesized Implied Inquired |
Interrogated Invited Mouthed Mused Pleaded Pondered Probed Proposed Puzzled |
Repeated Requested Requisitioned Queried Questioned Quizzed Solicited Speculated Wondered |
Words that give an answer
Accepted Advised Affirmed Alleged Answered Assured Avowed Claimed Conceded Concluded Confided Confirmed |
Explained Disclosed Disseminated Divulged Imparted Informed Indicated Maintained Notified Offered Passed on Proffered |
Promised Promulgated Released Reported Revealed Shared Specified Speculated Supposed Testified Transmitted Verified |
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
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.
Synonyms of said
-
- To save this word, you’ll need to log in.
as in aforementioned
mentioned previously
with said guidebook in hand, we set off to explore the city
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
past tense of say
1
as in told
to express (a thought or emotion) in words
why don’t you just say what’s on your mind?
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in expressed
to convey in appropriate or telling terms
I’m not quite sure how to say this, but that’s the worst essay I’ve ever read
3
as in recited
to give from memory
say your prayers
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in assumed
to take as true or as a fact without actual proof
let’s say, for the sake of argument, that this is true
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Articles Related to said
Thesaurus Entries Near said
Cite this Entry
“Said.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/said. Accessed 14 Apr. 2023.
Share
More from Merriam-Webster on said
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Subscribe to America’s largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Words at Play
-
12 Political PutdownsFor When ‘Lowdown Crook’ Isn’t Specific Enough
-
Absent Letters That Are Heard AnywayWhen letters make sounds that aren’t associated w…
-
Better Ways to Say «This Sucks»Go on…make your English teacher proud.
-
When Were Words First Used?Look up any year to find out
Ask the Editors
-
Weird PluralsOne goose, two geese. One moose, two… moose. Wh…
-
IrregardlessIt is in fact a real word (but that doesn’t mean …
-
Bring vs. TakeBoth words imply motion, but the difference may b…
-
DefenestrationThe fascinating story behind many people’s favori…
Word Games
-
Name That Hat!Time to put on your thinking cap.
Take the quiz
-
Name That FlowerCan you tell the difference between a lilac and a…
Take the quiz
-
Name That ThingYou know what it looks like… but what is it cal…
Take the quiz
-
Spelling Bee QuizCan you outdo past winners of the National Spelli…
Take the quiz
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.
Other Words You Could Use Instead of “Said”
- Knowing other words you can use in place of said can improve your writing because it adds variety and removes repetitiveness.
- Five formal alternatives of said are: announced, commente, explained, replied, and stated.
- Five creative alternatives of said are: whispered/exclaimed, rambled, chimed, bemoaned, and scolded.
Why You Should Know Other Ways To Say “Said”
Whether you’re writing a formal text or creative text, you may notice that said is a frequently used verb. After all, it denotes information that someone has spoken. Said can be found in essays such as explanatory essays, where the writer has to explain what a source has, well, said.
It’s also found in creative writing to commence a dialogue. Below, you’ll find five alternatives that are perfect for formal settings and five alternatives that are great for creative writing.
Five Other Ways To Say “Said” In Formal Writing
1. Announced
As you might have guessed, this alternative is perfect when you are quoting an announcement.
On Thursday, the Coca-Cola Company said they would be changing the color of their Sprite bottles to allow for easier recycling.
↓
On Thursday, the Coca-Cola Company announced they would be changing the color of their Sprite bottles to allow for easier recycling.
Use this said alternative when you are quoting someone’s opinion or response to something.
“It was long overdue,” the principal said after the school was finally remodeled.
↓
“It was long overdue,” the principal commented after the school was finally remodeled.
3. Explained
Use explained when referring to an explanation someone gave.
The lead scientist said that the results were not at all unusual.
↓
The lead scientist explained that the results were not at all unusual.
4. Replied
Replied is used when someone is answering a question or replying to something.
“The animals are all fine,” said the shelter director when asked about the incident.
↓
“The animals are all fine,” replied the shelter director when asked about the incident.
5. Stated
Stated is used exactly as said, but carries a more formal tone.
She said that all airline issues should be resolved in a few months.
↓
She stated that all airline issues should be resolved in a few months.
Five Other Ways To Say “Said” in Creative Writing
These other words for said are perfect within dialogue, to advance a storyline, or for many other creative uses.
1. Whispered/Exclaimed
Whispered and exclaimed are ideal synonyms when you want your readers to visualize the volume of what the speaker is saying.
“I hope he doesn’t find us,” said Frank.
↓
“I hope he doesn’t find us,” whispered Frank.
or
“Aw, man! We always lose at hide-n-seek,” said Frank.
↓
“Aw, man! We always lose at hide-n-seek,” exclaimed Frank.
2. Rambled
Rambled implies that the speaker is talking a lot.
“I couldn’t finish my homework because I was sick, hungry and because my little brother was bugging me,” the little girl said.
↓
“I couldn’t finish my homework because I was sick, hungry and because my little brother was bugging me,” the little girl rambled.
3. Chimed
As a verb, the literal definition of chimed is “to make a musical ringing sound.” This is a good word to use to help your readers visualize a happy or excited speaker.
“It’s the last day of school,” he said happily.
↓
“It’s the last day of school,” he chimed happily.
4. Bemoaned
Bemoaned means “to complain or regard something with displeasure,” so use it when you want to display that someone is sad or upset.
“I can’t believe Rufus ran away,” she said.
↓
“I can’t believe Rufus ran away,” she bemoaned.
5. Scolded
Use scolded when the speaker is angry and/or wants to influence someone’s behavior.
“You’re grounded for arriving late,” my mom said.
↓
“You’re grounded for arriving late,” my mom scolded.
He Said, She Said, They Said
💡 Keep in mind that all these examples also work in the present tense.
There are hundreds upon hundreds of different words you can use in place of said. Remember to keep the context in mind when choosing an alternative. Another tip to keep in mind that will help strengthen your writing is to make sure your text is free from spelling and grammar errors. Not only can LanguageTool provide accurate synonyms, but it can check for all types of mistakes in more than twenty languages.
Unleash the Professional Writer in You With LanguageTool
Go well beyond grammar and spell checking. Impress with clear, precise, and stylistically flawless writing instead.
Get started for free
We Value Your Feedback
We’ve made a mistake, forgotten about an important detail, or haven’t managed to get the point across? Let’s help each other to perfect our writing.
Filters
Filter synonyms by Letter
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P R S T U V W Y Z
Filter by Part of speech
verb
adjective
noun
phrase
pronoun
phrasal verb
Suggest
If you know synonyms for Said, then you can share it or put your rating in listed similar words.
Suggest synonym
Recently suggested synonyms
- Questioned (Speech)
Menu
Said Thesaurus
Definitions of Said
Said Antonyms
External Links
Other usefull sources with synonyms of this word:
Synonym.tech
Merriam-webster.com
Thesaurus.com
Wiktionary.org
Photo search results for Said
Image search results for Said
Cite this Source
- APA
- MLA
- CMS
Synonyms for Said. (2016). Retrieved 2023, April 13, from https://thesaurus.plus/synonyms/said
Synonyms for Said. N.p., 2016. Web. 13 Apr. 2023. <https://thesaurus.plus/synonyms/said>.
Synonyms for Said. 2016. Accessed April 13, 2023. https://thesaurus.plus/synonyms/said.
Direct speech can be difficult to smoothly navigate when you’re writing, but if you’re writing a novel or short story, dialogue is almost certainly going to happen at some point. When there is a conversation, the most common thing to do is use “said” when a person speaks:
“Are you crazy?” said Mary.
“Some of the time,” said John.
“Well,” said Mary, “I wish you would give me some warning before you do things like that!”
“I’ll try,” said John.
Then Mary leaned in close and said, “Oh shucks! I love you anyway!”
That’s a whole lot of “said” right there, and it gets repetitive pretty fast, doesn’t it? It becomes essential to have alternatives for the word “said” if you want your writing to sound decent. There are several ways this can be done.
Skip the Bits Outside the Quotation Marks Altogether!
If a conversation involves two people (dialogue), your reader will quickly see the two people are talking. That means that you can introduce your speakers, and then continue the conversation without saying who said what on the assumption your reader will be able to work out who is speaking, at least for a few lines.
Describe Actions Before or After the Quotation Marks
For example: “Oh shucks! I love you anyway!” Mary cuddled closer with a sigh.
In our example, we can clearly see Mary was doing the talking. If John says something next, he’ll get a new paragraph to himself, emphasizing the change of speaker. Voila! Conundrum avoided. “Saying” words have been completely skipped, but we still know who was talking.
Use Words Other than “Said”
Depending on context, there are a whole bunch of alternative words for “said” we can choose. Perhaps Mary’s romantic utterance was:
- Whispered
- Breathed
- Murmured
- Sighed
- Purred
- Blurted
- Gurgled
- Chuckled
- Mumbled
- Warbled
- Simpered
Her opening, “Are you crazy?” could have been:
- Asked (a little weak, but there it is)
- Exclaimed
- Cried
- Yelled
- Squealed
- Screamed
- Shrieked
- Squeaked
- Shouted
- Bellowed
- Roared
- Snapped
- Wailed
- Gasped
- Laughed
- Giggled
- Tittered
- Complained
- Objected
- Protested
- Sobbed
- Groaned
- Grumbled
- Scolded
What’s interesting is all these words imply mood much better than “said” does. Was Mary objecting to John’s actions in a good-humored, frightened or angry way? Your choice of words can tell your reader what her tone of voice was.
And when she told John she loved him anyway, was she feeling romantic or amused? Did she blurt it out unexpectedly, or was she being coy and flirtatious? How did John feel when he responded to her initial protestation? Was he serious or light-hearted?
Changing Moods
Look at how these words change the mood of the conversation:
“Are you crazy?” sobbed Mary.
“Some of the time,” muttered John.
“Well,” Mary complained, “I wish you would give me some warning before you do things like that!”
“I’ll try,” John promised.
Then Mary leaned in close and murmured, “Oh shucks! I love you anyway!”
You should have gained a sense of how the person speaking felt by the way they said it. Now see how changing the “talking” words can change the entire scene:
“Are you crazy?” giggled Mary.
“Some of the time,” chuckled John.
“Well,” Mary laughed, “I wish you would give me some warning before you do things like that!”
“I’ll try,” John grinned.
Then Mary leaned in close and purred, “Oh shucks! I love you anyway!”
Ok, so it’s not great literature. I’d probably have avoided introducing the speaker from about line 3, reintroducing them if the mood changed, or the conversation started to get too long to follow, but you get the idea. Example one is a lovers’ tiff, while example two is a couple having fun together. That’s a big difference, and “said” just wouldn’t have conveyed that.
List of “Said” Words According to Mood
Angry, Tense
- Snapped
- Snarled
- Growled
- Barked (lots of doggy words so far)
- Bellowed (and a moose)
- Roared (and a lion – this one could also imply triumph)
- Grumbled
- Complained
- Objected
- Remonstrated
- Huffed (this one is just mildly exasperated)
- Nagged
- Blustered
- Thundered (and some weather)
- Screamed
- Rasped
- Worried
- Yelled
- Screamed
- Shouted
- Shrieked
- Hollered (a bit of volume in these last few!)
- Seethed
- Ranted
- Fumed
Happy, Amused, Positive
- Laughed
- Chuckled
- Giggled
- Grinned
- Guffawed
- Gurgled
- Joked
- Quipped
- Teased
- Cheered
- Crowed
Certain, Sure, Confident
- Declared
- Asserted
- Announced
- Insisted
- Assured
- Argued
- Bragged
- Boasted
- Stated
- Reassured
- Preached
- Commented
- Remarked
- Confirmed
- Vowed
- Promised
- Observed
Sarcastic, Creepy
- Leered
- Sneered
- Jeered
- Drawled
- Taunted
- Cackled
- Mocked
Asking or Asking for
- Begged
- Pleaded
- Requested
- Questioned
- Queried
- Probed
- Asked (of course)
- Inquired
- Entreated
- Cajoled
- Wheedled
Unsure
- Faltered
- Stammered
- Stuttered
- Hesitated
- Guessed
- Blurted
- Trembled
- Speculated
Tones other than the ones we’ve already covered (especially the loud ones)
- Whispered
- Murmured
- Hissed
- Trilled
- Sang
- Sniffed
- Snivelled
- Mewled
- Moaned
- Purred
- Sobbed
- Groaned
- Moaned
- Grunted
And we’re just scratching the surface…here are a few more:
- Volunteered
- Lied
- Interrupted
- Interjected
- Exclaimed
- Remonstrated
- Finished
And as for “finished,” I realize this list is far from actually being finished. “Said” is all very well, but with so many more expressive words to choose from, you probably don’t need it! Do you have a favorite word to use other than “said” when you write that’s not listed above? Let us know and we’ll add it to our list.
Do you need more synonyms to find other words for said?
Dialogue words, or tags, should be used as a seasoning and not as the main ingredient in your writing.
Readers have a blind spot for the word said, so you can use it without any concern when you write dialogue.
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.”
Avoiding adverbs
However, there are times when you can use said synonyms.
They help you to convey an extra element of emotion or tone of voice.
When you use a descriptive dialogue reporting verb you can 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.
So 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.
Of course, go very easy on your use of adverbs.
There are times when you might want to make a line of dialogue a little more expressive.
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.
Another quick and easy way to find a new synonym is to use an online grammar checker.
For a Grammarly user, you are only one right-click away from a long list of suggested replacements for words to use instead of said.
If you use ProWritingAid, you can get even more help with both simple or contextural choices for said synonyms.
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
Surprise
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
Here is 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.
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
admitted, confessed, hesitated, mumbled
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