What are some other words for the word said

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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!

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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

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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

 

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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

 

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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

 

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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. 

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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. 

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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. 

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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!

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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.

Words to Use Instead of Said

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

  1. Interested in Learning Some Words to Use Instead of Said?
  2. Why Use Other Words for Said?
  3. What Are Dialogue Tags?
  4. The List of Words That Can Replace Said
  5. Words That Rhyme With Said
  6. Other Words for Said by Emotion
  7. Other Words for Said in an Essay
  8. Better Words Than Said
  9. 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. 

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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


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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


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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

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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.

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10 “Said” Synonyms You Can Use in All Types of Writing


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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.

Here are other words you can use instead of "said."

Expand your vocabulary with these “said” synonyms.
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.

Said Synonyms

“Said” is the past tense of “say,” which is a verb that means “to utter words to convey information.” 

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.


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other words for 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.

350 different words for said

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.

350 other words for said
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.

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

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.

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

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

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