essay word for says

14 Other Words for “Said” in an Essay

You want to sound as engaging and interesting as possible when writing an essay, and using words like “said” might prevent that.

So, if you’re about to use “said” for the umpteenth time, you’re in luck!

We have gathered some alternatives to show you other ways to say “said” in an essay that are bound to keep the reader entertained.

Other Ways to Say “Said”

Key takeaways.

• “Stated” is a great essay word that shows you are quoting a specific statement from a trustworthy source.
• “Declared” is a great way to describe an announcement or official quote.
• “Mentioned” is a bit simpler and allows you to highlight a quote that’s relevant to your essay.

Keep reading to find out how to quote what someone said in an essay. We’ll go over the three most effective terms to help spice up your academic writing.

One of the most common ways to replace “said” in an essay is “stated.” It’s a great formal synonym that helps to keep things direct and clear for the reader.

It works well before a quote. You should write “stated” to clarify that you’re about to run a quote by the reader.

Of course, you can’t claim that someone “stated” something without backing it up with evidence.

The last thing you’ll want is for the reader to look into the quote and find out it was never actually said.

But, as long as you’ve done your research, this works well. Good academic phrases that start with “stated” help you to establish a clear quote relating to the bulk of your essay.

These essay samples will also help you understand it:

It’s clear that he stated “time is the killer of all things.” However, nobody really understood the prophetic meaning behind it.

She stated that “it’s time to make the changes you want to see in the world.” That’s what led most people to join the revolution.

For a more impactful alternative, you can use “declared.”

You won’t find “declared” quite as often as “said,” but it’s still an incredibly good term to include.

It’s a formal synonym. It also shows that someone announced something important .

Generally, “declared” comes before compelling quotes. It might be more suitable to use it when quoting a famous politician or monarch of some kind.

It’s a surefire way to engage the reader and spark their imagination.

We highly recommend it when you’re certain that it belongs before a quote and will allow you to establish a more powerful meaning behind it.

Perhaps these essay samples will also help you with it:

The king declared “good things will come to those who ask me for them.” He was a very proud man.

She declared that “this was going to be the only time she offered her services to those in need.”

Feel free to use “mentioned,” too. It’s another word you can use instead of “said” in an essay that’ll keep things engaging for the reader.

It’s much subtler than the other phrases. It suggests that someone has made a brief comment about something, and you’d like to quote it for the reader.

Don’t worry; it’s still a good formal synonym. However, you should use it when the quote isn’t the most important part of your essay.

Quotes are there to add a bit of context for the reader. So, they’re not always needed to improve an essay.

“Mentioned” is a simple word that allows you to include a short but interesting quote . However, it usually isn’t as impactful as saying something like “declared” or “exclaimed.”

You can also refer to these essay examples:

The politician mentioned that “we cannot know what we haven’t already experienced.” That resonated with me.

It was clear that he mentioned “things were bound to change soon,” so they had to figure out what he meant.

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Synonyms of says

• as in tells
• as in expresses
• as in recites
• as in assumes
• as in shares
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Thesaurus Definition of says

 (Entry 1 of 2)

Synonyms & Similar Words

• articulates
• puts into words
• promulgates
• pipes up (with)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• paraphrases
• communicates
• hypothesizes
• presupposes
• takes for granted
• hypothecates
• conjectures
• preconceives
• wonders (about)
• disagrees (with)
• disbelieves
• controverts

Thesaurus Definition of says  (Entry 2 of 2)

• convictions
• enfranchisements

Examples Sentences

• Andy Greene, Rolling Stone , 11 Dec. 2024
• John Tamny, Forbes , 11 Dec. 2024
• Feon Ang, Forbes , 9 Dec. 2024
• Lance Eliot, Forbes , 8 Dec. 2024
• Jim Clash, Forbes , 11 Dec. 2024
• Alexandra Banner, CNN , 11 Dec. 2024
• Joseph Epstein, Newsweek , 11 Dec. 2024
• Irina Aleksander, Vogue , 11 Dec. 2024
• Andrew Wallenstein, Variety , 11 Dec. 2024
• Destiny Jackson, Deadline , 11 Dec. 2024
• Emlyn Travis, EW.com , 10 Dec. 2024
• Yasmeen Serhan, TIME , 10 Dec. 2024
• Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone , 10 Dec. 2024
• Jillian Dara, Forbes , 6 Dec. 2024
• Jeff Fromm, Forbes , 10 Dec. 2024
• Annabel Gutterman, TIME , 10 Dec. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near says

saying uncle

Cite this Entry

“Says.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus , Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/says. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.

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

General Education

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!

Other Words for Said 

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

Happy Words to Use Instead of “Said”

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

Sad Words to Use Instead of “Said” 

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

Angry Words to Replace “Said”

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

Different Words for “Said” That Express Shock or Surprise

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

Other Words for “Said” That Express Fear

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

Words to Replace “Said” That Are Expository

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

Other Words for “Said” That Are Argumentative

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

Words to Use Instead of “Said” That Are Critical 

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

Words to Use Instead of “Said” That Are Implicative

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

Words to Replace “Said” That Seek Information

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

Words to Replace “Said” That Reveal Information

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

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

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

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

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

Technical Writing

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

Creative Writing 

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

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

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

“That’s really selfish, Paige.” 

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

Academic Writing

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

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. 

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407 Other Words for Said to Improve Your Writing

July 25, 2024

Let’s say you’re writing a story, an essay or a research paper. One of the last things you want to do is repeat the same words. And with words like said , things can get a bit tricky. For quotes or dialogue, said is often the default word used when referring to the words of another person. I said. You said. He said. She said. They said. But if it’s repeated too often, your own writing can quickly come across as mundane or unengaging. Perhaps it won’t even capture how the statement was expressed and leaves the reader wondering. Unless it’s a deliberate move, we want to try our best to avoid that. To diversify your vocabulary palette, to pinpoint the emotion you’re trying to convey, check out the lists of other words for said below.

You’ll find words for said that convey emotions like anger or sadness. There’ll be words for said that are more argumentative or expository , and the lists could extend well beyond this article. In short, there’s truly no excuse to not use other words for said when you really need it.

Take a look at the following 10 categories that give you other words for said:

63 words for said that are happy, excited or positive

Here’s a list of other words for said that can express a sense of joy. Was the person saying something with pride? Were they in a chatty mood? Did you want to point out that they joked about the matter? These more positive-sounding words for said might just do the trick to elevate your writing.

• Congratulated
• Complemented

Happy, Excited, Positive (Continued)

24 other words for said that express sadness.

On the flip side, there are other ways to write said that convey sadness or a melancholic state. Words like groaned, lamented or sighed signal to the reader just how the person or character is feeling or behaving. Perhaps someone sobbed through their words instead of just saying them. By choosing another word for said , you’re giving the reader more room to understand and imagine what you’re describing. Which of the following sad words for said would you use?

68 words for said the express anger

You’ll know by now that it’s totally possible to still use the word said and simply couple it with the emotional state the speaker is in. Take a look at the following examples: “Let’s go to the movies,” Jacob said, joyfully. Or how about: That woman said her words with such sadness. But there is an effectiveness in choosing the right word that fully encapsulates or completes the moment described. It’s one thing to write Abigail said it with a lot of anger . It’s another thing to write Abigail snapped. Do you see the difference?

• Interrupted
• Remonstrated

Anger (Continued)

• Reprimanded

55 other words for said that convey fear

Simply stating that someone said something with fear works just fine. But what if you could paint an even clearer picture? Using words like begged, cowered, gasped or pleaded provides more imagery without having to use too many words. Instead of writing out My parents said with worry, “We want to see you before we leave,” how else could this sentence be rewritten, given the following words below? Perhaps, “We want to see you before we leave,” my parents implored. And always consider the context in which you want to use another word for said :

Fear (Continued)

23 words for said that are argumentative and debate-related.

Let’s say you’re writing an academic paper, a college essay or a news article. You’ll need to carefully choose the words that will best convey your, or someone else’s, point. Is the statement something someone simply said ? Or was it argued in a specific way?

• Authenticated
• Corroborated
• Substantiated

24 other words for said that are expository and informative

There is always going to be another word for said when you are explaining something. You could even use that very word instead. Explained .

• Illuminated
• Illustrated

37 words for said that ask a question or are inquisitive

The word asked will be the most widely-used other word for said when a question arises. But take a look at all the other ways that show how exactly the question is being asked:

• Contemplated
• Hypothesized
• Interrogated
• Requisitioned
• Scrutinized

50 other words for said that reveal an answer

Perhaps you’re about to disclose something in your essay . Here are more varied ways you could reveal an answer instead of simply writing said:

• Acknowledged
• Disseminated

Reveal an Answer (Continued)

• Promulgated
• Transmitted
• Volunteered

13 words for said that convey surprise

Just as in real life, there are many ways to say something with surprise. Did they gasp ? Was something blurted out loud? Maybe it was even exclaimed ?

50 other similar words for said

Here are 50 “neutral” words that can also be used instead of said:

• Articulated
• Backtracked
• Communicated
• Interjected

Similar Words (Continued) 

We know. The importance, the simplicity of using “said” in most contexts can’t be overlooked. It’s not going anywhere. But are you conveying the appropriate emotion with which the sentence was said? Is the person you’re quoting stating their argument with remorse or with fervent support? Choosing the right word, instead of always using said , does have the power to change the message you’re trying to make. So why not give it a try?

Additional Resources

Feeling inspired to keep developing your writing skills? Check out these blogs:

• 400 Glorious Adjectives to Describe a Person 
• 100 Creative Writing Prompts for Middle & High School
• 100 Tone Words to Express Mood in Your Writing
• 160 Good Argumentative Essay Topics for Students in 2024
• How to Write the AP Lang Rhetorical Analysis Essay (With Example)
• How to Write the AP Lang Argument Essay (With Example)
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10 Other Words for “Said” in an Essay

Including quotes in your essays shows that you’re sourcing your work. It’s, therefore, relatively easy to repeatedly write “said” when quoting things from other people.

You should find more interesting ways to quote things to spice up your writing.

This article has gathered some alternatives to show you more words to replace “said” in an essay.

Keep reading to learn other ways to say “said” in an essay. We’ve also provided examples for each to help you understand them better.

1. Explained

Naturally, using “said” before quoting someone is overdone and boring. But there are plenty of more exciting ways to talk about things people have mentioned before.

Let’s start with “explained.” You can use “explained” to quote someone’s explanation .

It shows you have reviewed how someone phrased something and would like to discuss it in your academic writing. This is great because it keeps the reader engaged and tries a different word.

You can also review these examples:

• Bob Taylor explained “my reasoning for this choice is simple, and I care very little for your expressions of rebellion.”
• I could not remember it at the time. But Mathew Fraser explained that “we are not the only ones fighting this.”

2. Mentioned

Another way to say “said” is “mentioned.” It’s a formal synonym that keeps things fresh when quoting information .

Generally, “mentioned” refers to less important information . If you “mention” something, it’s likely that it’s not the most important thing for a reader to pay attention to.

Of course, any mentioned information is still worth reading. However, this word is definitely better utilized when you don’t put much weight behind what you’re sharing.

Perhaps these essay samples will also help you:

• She mentioned that “wolves do not concern themselves with the opinion of sheep.” This created the movement as we know it today.
• Carla Hill mentioned “I will not back down from the challenge.” Hence, we watched what unfolded after.

3. Suggested

People make suggestions all the time. And, as it happens, you can use “suggested” as a formal way to say “said.”

“Suggested” works well when quoting people’s opinions . A suggestion often relates to an opinion rather than a fact, making it clear that you’re expressing how someone feels.

We recommend using it when you’re unsure of the validity of someone’s comment. It’s still useful in academic writing, but it lets readers know they should take the quote with a pinch of salt.

• Paul De Angelo suggested that “things can get better if we really try.” So, we have commenced a green initiative.
• He suggested that “we must continue doing things this way.” Needless to say, it helped people to understand what comes next.

Claims are common in essays. People claim things all the time to try and share facts and opinions. Generally, claims can be disproved (with a little bit of research and quality debating skills).

Therefore, “claimed” is an excellent alternative to “said.” You can use it in academic writing, as it shows you how to quote what someone said in an essay.

Generally, this phrase works best when sharing thoughts and ideas . You can always argue someone’s claim, so it’s a good way to set up contradicting points.

Also, these examples should clear things up:

• The Right Clan claimed that “we do not know what to say to the apostates.” It created a rebellion in their system.
• We are sure they claimed “this is the only way to complete the acts.” Therefore, we had to continue as noted.

5. Remarked

Feel free to try “remarked” as a formal way to say “said” in an essay. It’s highly effective in formal writing because it shows that someone made a statement relative to your essay’s content.

If you can find a way to relate someone’s quote to your writing, feel free to use this.

It allows the reader to follow your ideas and understand why you included certain quotes. That way, you can ensure that things make sense as you write about different points.

You can also review the following examples:

• Scott Hillary remarked that “we could not go through these waters.” It was a shame because it was the only way to progress.
• They both remarked that “good tidings would come to those who asked for them.” Is that a moral lesson?

Arguments make for more interesting essays. If you can include appropriate and relevant essays, you’re liable to get a much better grade from the reviewer.

Therefore, “argued” is a word you can use instead of “said” in an essay.

It allows you to quote someone’s opinion and argue a different viewpoint . This is a great way to set up a narrative and encourage the reader to develop their own ideas based on your opinions.

Here are a few essay examples to help you:

• Sam Smith argued that “the people are against his beliefs, but he will not yield.” It was quite a powerful moment.
• “This is the best choice you have,” argued King Langsford. It stopped the onslaught in its tracks.

7. Commented

When someone makes a comment, it means they’ve briefly shared a view . Therefore, “commented” allows you to replace “said” when sharing someone’s viewpoint or opinion.

Typically, “commented” doesn’t work for highly-valued information. It’s much better for minor details and comments made by important people in your writing.

Here are a few examples to help you with it:

• Mr. Sullivan commented “this is an excellent piece of creative writing.” Therefore, I think the book is worth publishing.
• Missy Adams commented that “we are not alone in this experience.” Take that as you will to determine what we must do.

Quotes are also called statements. Therefore, it would be silly not to include “stated” at least once in your academic writing.

It’s a direct and clear way to discuss what someone has said. This allows your readers to understand someone’s opinion and find out why they might have said something.

Also, including statements as quotes allows your reading to stand out. It shows you’ve sourced the information you’re writing about, ensuring that it’s correct.

You can also review these essay samples:

• Hillary Mathews stated “we have not set anything in stone. Things can change at any moment.” It set the plan in motion.
• We stated that “this was going to be the only choice.” We needed to highlight that before continuing with the project.

While it might not be a particularly common choice, there’s nothing wrong with writing “shared” instead of “said.” It works well in essays to give you something different to write .

We recommend using “shared” only once in an essay. It makes for a suitable replacement for “said” when sharing minor details or quotes from important people.

If you can make the quote relevant to your essay, then there’s no reason not to use “shared.” It’s just as effective as “said” and much less common, making it a more interesting word to include.

Here are a few examples to help you understand it:

• “This is the turning point,” Addison King shared . I think that’s why so many people took her so seriously.
• I do not know why they said it, but Shorts & Docs shared “the information that we must inspect is right before our eyes.”

10. Clarified

You may also use “clarified” in certain instances. It’s an excellent formal synonym for “said” that shows someone confirmed information .

Generally, “clarified” works before a quote sharing important information. It shows that you want to clarify something for the reader to avoid any confusion .

We highly recommend using it when sharing sensitive or important things in your writing. That way, the reader can keep up with your writing without losing track of your ideas.

Here are some examples to help you:

• Mathew Kirkland clarified “we will not have to fight these fights any longer.” It stopped the battle on the spot.
• Noel Apollo clarified that “things will only get worse before they get better.” We can now see what he meant by that.
• “Either Is Fine” vs. “Both Are Fine” – Difference Explained
• I Second That – Meaning & Example Sentences
• Inquire With/About/Of/Into – Correct Preposition (Examples)
• Is It Correct to Say “Within the Week”?

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

He Said. She Said. They Said.

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

I disagree.

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

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

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

Consider the Following Micro-Story

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

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

John said , “Close it yourself!”

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

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

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

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

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

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

Try This Instead

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

John glowered . “Close it yourself!”

“What did you say?”

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

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

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

“Well, if you hadn’t got me preg —”

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

Did You Notice the Changes in the Second Piece?

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

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

Amy glanced up

John glowered

She pressed her lips

He slammed the door

John beamed

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

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

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

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

Now Consider a Third Version

John retorted, “Close it yourself!”

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

Did You Catch the Two Said Alternatives?

Retorted and snapped are so much more effective than said .

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

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

And About That Slamming Door

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

I hope 2022 is treating you well!

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

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

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

Thanks, Mike. Great tips!

Comments are closed.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

See the difference?

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

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

• “I need more batteries,” she hissed .

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Someone pass the tissues.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Check out our word list

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

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

Ways To Say

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