Other Words for “Said”

“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.
OMG!
Great list of awesomely perfect words, thanks for this.
Regards
Some good words for said are as following: Whispered, cried, screamed, sobbed, screeched, sang, giggled. Each one produces a different emotion so each one can work in all different situations!
“said” is so boring. It’s like using “very” when describing everything. You can make your stories so much more interesting if you use a little imagination and creativity instead of using “said” all the time.
Ya! I’m writing a story and i found this, and it helps SO SO much!!!
same
same here
definetly
Yeah, it does! I’m writing a story with my best friend and I had NO IDEA what to say instead of said, and then I found this!! You can guess what happened next! XD
Oh!! I am too, haha! 🙂
I’m writing a story with my friend too! hahaha
Me too, LizzyCupcakeAuthor12!!
Yes
Agreed, my friend told me about this, and this has helped me have a much more interesting story.
Same
Me too.
Same! 🙂
Same I’m writing an essay it was so boring until I found this
Yes! I am writing one based on Greek Mythology.
me too
I am also writing a story and I kept using the word “said” so I looked this up and it helped.
IKR I’m writing a book and this helped so much!!!!
I’m writing a book too! so helpful
you are so right! I’m writing on too and this helps lots!
this helps me a lot when writing my stories. Thx
I’m writing a story,And this really inspired me,To make my book interesting.Thank you 🙂
I too find “very” a dull word. I try to combine very + adjective and use that instead
agree!
Said is dead! LOL
omg lol i gonna say that and it rymes too lol
They should make a site for words replacing “very” as well!
I agree Sequoia.
SAME! I am writing a story and this REALLY helps!!!!!!!!!! Thank you!!!!!
true! i bet the people who disliked this comment probably uses said and very all the time lol
Sure does!
Your right, but the good thing about “said” is it’s an “invisible word” meaning the readers don’t really realize the word said unless the word is overused.
Maybe you should put In read, like for example: “Dear Abby” She read.
If you don’t think so, then thats okey!
-LizzyCupcake!
thank you for this amazing list!!
You said make a novel on how to better express dialouge, or on how to better express one’s writing.
I think You should make a novel on how to better express dialogue, or on how to better express one’s self in writing. ~RoseAngelz
novels are fiction, though. it would be an informational/self-help book rather than a novel.
Actually a novel is a book that is a chapter book, fiction or not.
Sorry I know this is the third time, I’m commenting on this; however this time I’m not a guest. Plus I’m not sure if you got my comment the first two times – no I’m not trying to spam – so I’m gonna comment this one last time.
I think you should make a novel on how to better express dialogue, or on how to better express one’s writing.
Again I’m not trying to spam; it’s just that I’m not sure if you got my comment the first two times.
~RoseAngelz
Well “said” is a rather valuable word when it is used properly, as you can “build up” emotions onto it
exactly like “YAY” Mia said jumping up and down with excitement!
although doing that makes your story longer.
so funny
Btw who is going out and disliking all of these comments?
I know right!
I have no idea but they are very annoying…
No idea. It’s like almost every comment has at least 10 likes. lol
None of these would be a synonym for “said” per se, but all could be used in it’s place given the correct context.
Retorted, responded, replied, shot back, countered.
Mentioned, noted, suggested.
Warned, cautioned, advised, admonished, corrected.
Reported.
In my English class we have a board with ”Said is dead” and we have to write different words for ”said”, if we do we get a prize so I study different words at home lol
That’s what we do in my English class too!
🙂
that’s what we do in mine too!!
that’s what i did in 4th
o yes! I went to a writing camp with a song that goes, like “said is dead, this is the funeral!” lol.
im being forced to do a story but this helps so much!!!
This is so good
Everyone should use these words
This helped me a lot with school work
I want to be a writer, but one of my cons is definitely finding proper words to use instead of “says” or “said”. This has helped me a lot, so thank you very much!
said is sooooo boring
Best website in the WORLD!
I would have to agree with this statement.
I’m 14 and I’m writing a book. I haven’t gone to school to do this kind of stuff, but this was really helpful. Now maybe I can get my book published!
I’m only 11 and writing a book and it’s turning out great! Getting published is my dream, and this site has been really helpful!
Same! I’m writing a book about MAGIC!
maddie me toooo
OMG SAME!!!! FANTASY IS MY FAV GENER!!!! :DDD
even younger than katie, but apparently reading at a late 10th grade level, and writing a chapter book, this list helps a LOT!
Yeah! I’m writing an 6-8 paragraph essay on a spooky story for Halloween, and this site helped me so much for that reason! Ahhh my essay is so spicy nowww! 😀
I’m 13 and I started writing when I was I think 9 or 10. I have never found a good website that has helped my as much as this one has. I have over 20 books that I am working on and this is one of the things I have troubles with while writing. Thank you so much to whoever posted this site! It’s been a huge help to me.
Same!
I am 11 too, I am writing a chapter book and is about mysteries
And my dream is the book to get published
YES! I’m only 11 and writing a chapter book! This really helped me. I also really want to get my story published.
woah im 12 and I’m writing a sci fi book :00
Ya, me too! I’m 12 and have been writing a book series since November in 2019. It’s about metamorphosis and people that have metamorphosi forms. This website has really helped to make my stories more innovative! THX A LOT
I’m writing a composition and this really helped! 😀
I agree but Im 10 not 14 ha
heh me too :>
but i’m using this for my school compo hw .w.
same
noice!
mate getting ur book published is a BIT too far
you saying that is a little to far
Okay, they were only saying that it is a dream, and you can never go too far with a dream. ‘Cause it might actually come true. Don’t just tell people to give up on their dreams. ‘Cause actually, that’s what I’m working up to. I want to do this for a living, and there is nothing wrong with that. So leave them be to dream and make it come true if they can. And know this: If you fail, try until you succeed. ‘Cause I know that you can do it, as long as you are willing to go through with it.
Uh—– The youngest child to write a published book was a 4-year-old girl named Dorothy in 1964, according to Google, so I think someone my age (ten years old or so) can publish their book.
Yess! Same! writin is my dream and rite now my goal is to not have a SINGLE “said” in my entire story. This helped a lot! Woot woot!
Haha, me too. Said is so overrated when I can use these!
*writing and *right not trying to be rude just correcting you! sorry if this comment sounded rude!
I LOVE this it helps me with work so much
whoever did this should so get an award as a “thank u 4 all these awesome words!!”
This website helped me with my narrative writing!
Also who is the person/people who keep going around and disliking every single comment? It is just annoying.
All of these words helped me write my story! I wonder what other words we could use instead of said.
amazing list
Maybe meowed? I know that’s what cats do, and even if you aren’t writing about cats, maybe a person is mimicking one of the cute little felines?
Ooh, admitted is also one. Like, “I guess you were right,” Bob admitted.
I have to write a story (Thanks Covid) and this has been soooo helpful! Gracias! -unknowable
am i the only one here who’s writing a fanfic?
No you’re not . I am writing a fanfic too . lol
And me, a draco Malfoy one 😏
That’s awesome!
WOAH YOU HAVE THE SAME NAME AS MY COUSIN, LAST NAME INCLUDED-
I’m thinking of starting a Supernatural fanfic. Do you think I should?
Of course! I honestly love supernateral, and I think that the fanfic ones are the best. I don’t write fanfic though, I only do it in my head or cosplay it with my friends. Good Luck!
Thanks. Also I started a BNHA fanfic with my sister, it’s going well I think.
Yep! Wattpad videogame fanfic writer here ✌
I am doing my school work and it helped so much I got eight lines of speech with this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I wish you could replace my editor. I’m a new author and my editor just tells me what’s wrong without helping me fix it. I’m glad I found this website.
yes i’m writing a book too and this list prevents my story from getting boring…lol
if i do use said i like to put something like
he said with a smile 🙂
I totally agree… sometimes adding just a bit of flavor can make even “said” interesting to read
I’m working on a novel, and this helped so much! What a great website!
I’m writing a short story on the word ridicule and this is really helping TYSM!!
Is there any word for when someone is stern?
Forbid/forbidden/forbiddingly
I love making stories! I’m trying to make one for school, but I was so stuck on what to say instead of said THIS RLLY HELPS
I have to write a story every week for school so I will use this so much thanks!
I think that this website is wonderful! My friend thought writing was hard until we found this!
This really helps make stories more interesting then if you just say said. When you use a little imagination or you find words (like the ones above) to use in your story it really makes a world of difference.
Yes! Exactly, Lauren, have you read Keeper of the Lost Cities? If you haven’t, you really should. Its amazing!
this was very helpful lol. my sister read my narrative and she was like “dude ur in 6th grade i expected more” and i was like “bruh shut up i wanna see u do better” lol
I doubt she could do better. My sister who is 3 years older than me says that, and her writing (sorry sis) sucks!
I am writing a narrative and this list helps me so much! I love all the words that you can choose from! Overall, so helpful!
So helpful thanks a lot, makes my narrative a lot better.
Thank you very much! Our school wanted us to write a story and I absolutely love writing stories but I got a little annoyed when I kept using the word ‘said’ again and again. Just like ‘very’ is used pretty often. These words express emotion into the sentence and make the sentence more longer which for me is a good thing. I really appreciate your help. Thank you so much once again.
~Asuna
I have been writing a book since I was eight years old, and I am now about to turn 14 years old. Many of the chapters were discarded, as I did not like the word choices. I tried using things like thesaurus, and many others, but none worked and none gave me the help I needed personally when trying to use words. What I recommend is opening a google doc (I know that’s what we’re all using, and we learned about it from school), and copying and pasting the words. Of course, label them saying “this is for angry scenes” or something of that sort, but that’s what helps me so I can quickly find a word I’m looking for and I don’t have to scroll past all the passages. Also, it’s much more organized! Happy writing!
Angelic Devil
Thx writing an essay for school and that’s an amaz. idea!!
Thx soooo much Angelic Devil
tg for this! it was so helpful! im writing a piece n this def helped me! tysm!
I think this is helpful even though i knew most of the words it helped me a lot.
tysm! this was so helpful! tg for this! im def going to use this! amaz!
I’m 10 and I’m writing an article about food and this really helped. Thx a lot. Also, Said is the worst word you can use for said. XD
I need this for my story for little kids thank you
This has been SO helpful! I am writing my own little short story in my (little) free time and I have been struggling to find more descriptive words other than the common ones. This website is pretty much a miracle to any other writer out there!
I will say, sometimes when I use the word “said” I like to add a bit of flavor to it, like instead of
Brooke said
You can put more discription onto it like
Brooke said, a grin spreading across her face.
Anyways this was sooo helpful thank you for this amazing site!
Like in the story I’m writing for school about a zombie apocalypse one of my sentences is;
“Alright let’s move on. My name is James, and I am absolutely useless just so you guys are aware.” He nods at the group with a tight smile on his face as everyone starts laughing.
This is a great website to make stories more intresting!
Bruh…
all of these comments make you guys seem like newbie writers (no offense) because it’s really easy to think of words instead of said without searching up websites. And SAID IS NOT BORING. Writing too many complex words, or getting TOO descriptive, will make your writing seem immature and cringy. Just saying. SAID IS A GOOD WORD. it’s classic, and it should be used the most, but just use words like yelled, whispered, etc. to show readers HOW that character said that line of dialogue. You don’t need to go out of your way using the word “expostualted” when you literally can just simply use the word “said”. It’s simple and smart. Period.
Yea, and? To get good at writing, you need to know what words to use. It’s how everybody starts, and nobody should take offense to that. And no, it is not necessarily that easy to just think of words. Writing with “too many” complex words is good, gives the characters tone, and emotions. It makes the characters feel real. We have complex words in our dictionary for a reason, to explain complex feelings. Also, said is not classic. It’s a word, just a simple word. It doesn’t explain much at all. Simpler words should be used, but that doesn’t mean we need to overuse them. Finding more complex words helps make your story not sound dry and boring. It is not simple and smart, it sounds blatantly stupid, and honestly, you sound like a person who doesn’t know much about writing. Thank you.
if its not boring then why are you even on this website.
I have a writing exam tomorrow so thanks a lot
This was very very helpful for my Christmas story. Thanks!
If you want to use an angry one you can also use the word hissed if it helps
Hissed is already up there, just letting you know.
I love this site, thank you,
Regards.
I am writing a science fiction story and this list helped so much to make my story interesting! LOVE IT! THANKS FOR POSTING IT! – Some 6th grader.
Said is dead don’t kill it more
I absolutely agree with this. Said is not always a bad thing to use.
Th is is AMAZINGLY helpful I am righting school story and this is super great for it
This is super helpful!
Thanks for this list! I’m 11 and this has been incredibly helpful for writing a historical fiction story for school.
Ahaha this is amazing I’m making my own story & there was dialog so I had to find words that are not said this is amazing tbh
I’m writing a story right now about a girl who keeps having nightmares about her past self a.k.a what she’s done in the past only to find out those nightmares are real, and these really worked! Because I have lots of characters in the story and I can’t keep saying said or say
Honestly Ella, That is a good idea but I won’t steal it! I hope that book gets everything it deserves! I am currently the first like on this! Have a good day. (And I feel you, I forget about some characters and then I have to make up an excuse for bringing them back in.) Also, LETS BRING THIS COMMENT TO THE TOP! Hope you all have a nice day!
I’m writing a story and this is so helpful!
Thank u this helped so much 🙎🏿😺😾🕺🏾
A few more to intend bragging, or showing off that could be used:
Boast(ed), Crow(ed), Bluster(ed), Swank(ed), Gloat(ed)
Just some examples, not saying they should be added, just trying to be useful for anyone who needs more help with words that aren’t on the list. (at least I don’t think they are on the list lol.)
I’m almost 13 years old and I want to write a book of wizardry (sort o like Harry Potter). Either way, I’m really thankful for this website and this helps me soooooo much with my writing!!! ‘Said’ is like really boring, so tysm!!!
I write a lot of stories as well, and this list makes it so much easier to make intriguing dialogue! Thanks!
Im writing a book called the woman underwater and this is really helping me.
it is better to mostly use said. publishers will riject books that have too much other words instead of said because it is a sign of inexperience! 99% of the time you should use said!
Thanks for the heads up!
I love when actions describe or replace ‘said’! I’m writing a book, so this was extremely helpful.
one like on this comment = one appreciation for this
Best website ever!!!!!
Thank you so much for this website! It helps alot!
This is extremely helpful.
A word a really like to use is Sputter(ed). It might already be up here but if it isn’t here you go.
I need a word to use when someone is scared, any ideas?
Wow this helps so much! Thanks! Using said is so overrated now!
This was soo helpful! Thanks!
This helps so much! Thank you!
This helped me a lot when I was writing a story. I thought using ‘said’ all the time was super boring.
Thank you i was looking everywhere for different saids and i finnaly found one that shows the emotion that the person is feeling when they say that!
Am I the only one that has like 500 books on their computer and each one only has like 60 pages and you only finished like one?
I have like 15 I think. I guess, same!
This helped me so much
I have started my own book series on this website
so thanks a lot
This is sooo awesome I’m in middle of a story and i feel like I need to go back and change all my previous saids 😂
Love this!
Though saying “said” can get a little boring, simply replacing them with action words is a no no. Said is really just a dialogue tag, not your chance to get creative or descriptive. If someone “said” something, you can say they “giggled it.” Amateur mistakes 101.
If you find yourself looking for words to replace said because you’re using it too many times, it’s a sign that you need to go back and restructure your sentences. That’s where you get creative.
It’s okay to get a big more descriptive than said sometimes, but substitute words is usually not the answer.
I actually think this works well XD I had so many “Saids” in my story. It’s 213 pages long so I need to go all over it again to fix all those mistakes XD
lol same! mine isn’t as long yet, but I still have to go back and change them all.
Said Is so boring I’m glad someone made this
This is so helpful. I can’t explain how thankful I am!
im writing a story about monsters at the moment i needed so much good word other than “said” and then i found this, this is so helpful, thanks!
I’m writing a story that using a lot of emotions, and this helped me a lot, thank you.
I am writing a new Percy Jackson book, and this helped me a lot.
so helpful! had no idea how much I used said until this!
This is SO helpful! I’m writing a book right now, and I have so many “said”s that I have to go change! (and, LizzyCupcakeAuthor12!, on one of the other posts I read the beginning of your story about the three orphans, and, by now you might have finished it, but it is AMAZING. Never give up writing!)
Thank you so much. I have to write a story for school and this was so helpful!!!😀😀😀
thank you so much! i’m not a native english speaker so i struggle sometimes, but this article helped me so much!
I am also writing a story! It´s for a school project I’m doing. It´s about a girl named sage who keeps living the same day over and over again. In order to fix it she has to touch a magic pendelum from an old grandfather clock wich got her into this mess in the first place.
Can concluded be used as well?
i wish i could be as good as enid blython or j.k rowling aka {joanne kathleen rowling} i finished them books im sad
Thank you so much for this! I’m trying to write a story and this helped so much!
This is very helpful. I will be sure to look at their stuff again. I’m trying to write a book for school and this helped tremendously!