Ways to say "said"
With NaNoWriMo right around the corner I thought I'd share with you a list of synonyms for the word "said" as well as other ways to describe emotion in dialogue.Ways to say "said":
| added | clarified | lied | remarked |
| admitted | clucked | mentioned | repeated |
| advised | coaxed | moaned | reported |
| affirmed | commented | mouthed | stated |
| agreed | continued | mused | suggested |
| announced | declared | objected | taunted |
| asserted | drawled | pestered | |
| assumed | droned | preached | |
| avowed | explained | predicted | |
| beckoned | expounded | proclaimed | |
| bragged | expressed | pronounced | |
| called | groaned | protested | |
| caterwauled | insisted | reasoned | |
| claimed | interrupted | related |
Ways to show a person is speaking in a quiet, calm, gentle or shy manner:
| breathed | whispered | sighed | squeaked |
| mumbled | persuaded | slurred | |
| murmured | purred | stammered |
Ways to show a person is fearful, grieved, hopeless, or meek:
| bawled | groveled | sputtered | wailed |
| begged | gurgled | squeaked | warned |
| bleated | hollered | thought aloud | whimpered |
| called | muttered | told | whined |
| cried | peeped | urged | whispered |
| exclaimed | pouted | uttered | yowled |
| fretted | prayed | vocalized | |
| fussed | shrieked | voiced | |
| gasped | sobbed | vowed |
Ways to show a person is humorous or happy in dialogue:
| blabbed | giggled | prattled on | winked |
| blurted | gossiped | quipped | murmured |
| cheered | grinned | rambled | whispered |
| chirped | gushed | recited | persuaded |
| chuckled | jabbered | sang | purred |
| croaked | jested | smiled | sighed |
| crooned | joked | squawked | slurred |
| crowed | laughed | teased | stammered |
| gabbled | marveled | whooped | squeaked |
Ways to show a person is speaking with a loud, brash tone or who is angry, authoritative, moody, obnoxious or pushy manner:
| admonished | cried | nagged | snapped |
| argued | demanded | oozed | snarled |
| asserted | disagreed | ordered | sneered |
| barked | exclaimed | ranted | snipped |
| bellowed | glowered | raved | spat |
| chastised | growled | retorted | spouted |
| commanded | grumbled | roared | squawked |
| complained | hissed | scolded | trumpeted |
| confessed | howled | screamed | yelled |
| countered | huffed | screeched | |
| crabbed | mocked | shrieked |