250+ Other Words For “Said” To Supercharge Your Writing
When writing dialogue in a story, the conversation is only half the battle. The other half has to do with the tone, volume, and context of people’s words. Yes, most of the time you can just use “he said” and “she said” to indicate dialogue — but sometimes you need some other words for said to help you make a stronger statement!
That’s where this post comes in: we’ve compiled over 250 other words for said to inject action and emotion into your dialogue, so readers will practically hear it ringing in their ears. These words are divided by category to help you find exactly the right option — and don’t forget to read our bonus tips on how to tag your dialogue effectively! Now, go forth and jabber, croon, and effuse your way to captivating conversations between characters.
250+ other words for “said”
Neutral/multi-purpose words
| Acknowledged
Added Agreed Announced Articulated Asserted Began Blurted Called Commented Communicated Conferred Considered Contended |
Declared
Denoted Drawled Emitted Ended Enunciated Expressed Interjected Mentioned Noted Observed Orated Predicted Pronounced |
Quipped
Recited Reckoned Related Remarked Repeated Replied Responded Shared Stated Told 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 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 Shouted Swore Thundered Vociferated Yelled |
Annoyed words
| Bleated
Complained Condemned Criticized Groused |
Grumbled
Grunted Mocked Rasped Rejoined |
Retorted
Scoffed Smirked Snapped Whined |
Frightened/pained words
| Cautioned
Gulped Howled Keened Panted Prayed |
Quavered
Screamed Shrieked Squalled Squealed Trembled |
Wailed
Warbled Whimpered Yelped Yowled Warned |
Prideful words
| Advertised
Bloviated Boasted Boomed Bossed |
Bragged
Broadcasted Crowed Dictated Gloated |
Ordered
Prattled Preached Swaggered Trumpeted |
Words to express uncertainty
| Breathed
Doubted Faltered Hesitated Lilted |
Mumbled
Murmured Muttered Shrugged Squeaked |
Stammered
Stuttered 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 |
DMPublishers.com
