other words for said in writing

Different Words to Use Instead of "Said" (by Emotion)

If you're writing dialogue or a personal narrative, it helps to know words to use instead of "said." In dialogue tags and narratives in general, "said" can be terribly overused. It leads to repetitive-sounding stories that have a generic tone. "Said" is neutral in terms of emotion, but you can write more powerfully if you sprinkle in some emotion-tinged variations for this common word.

Young man writing thoughtfully

Affectionate Variations of "Said"

Using certain words can convey affection, from romantic love to parental care. If you want to give this emotional impression, try one of these words to use instead of "said."

admired
consoled
comforted
sighed
reassured
gushed
soothed
praised
professed
beamed
empathized
invited
offered
volunteered

Sad Alternatives for "Said"

If you're writing a piece that has tinges of sadness, you need "said" variations that include this emotion. Sadness can occur for a variety of reasons, and the intensity can also vary. Choose a dialogue tag that best matches the emotion you need to show the reader. These are some options to consider:

sobbed
wept
pleaded
grieved
mourned
sniveled
mewled
cried
blubbered
lamented
bawled
mumbled
sighed
wailed
begged
sniffled

"Said" Variations Showing Anger

When you're writing a confrontation or other anger-charged dialogue, you'll need "said" variations that convey that emotional tone. Try these:

shouted
yelled
growled
bellowed
nagged
accused
fumed
criticized
seethed
snapped
demanded
retorted
hissed
upbraided
remonstrated
scolded
taunted
teased
lied
mocked
provoked

Fearful Alternatives for "Said"

Sometimes, you need to convey fear in dialogue tags, and there are several words to use instead of "said" if you want to get this emotion across to your reader. Some will be subtle, suited to less obviously fearful situations, while others are much more extreme. Try these options:

screamed
cautioned
warned
stammered
gasped
stuttered
blurted
trembled
quavered
faltered
shrieked
quaked
thundered
swore

"Said" Alternatives That Show Excitement

If you're writing a scene that includes excitement, you can use a dialogue tag that shows this feeling to the reader. Some scenes call for subtle excitement, while others are all-out celebrations or interjections. Either way, try these words instead of "said":

cheered
cried out
beamed
rejoiced
exclaimed
gushed
yelled
crowed
hollered
trumpeted
sang

"Said" Variations That Show Uncertainty

Whether you're writing about someone asking a question or simply need to show a less obvious type of uncertainty in your story, these words can help:

wondered
asked
queried
questioned
hesitated
inquired
supposed
speculated

Emotionally Neutral Alternatives for "Said"

Sometimes, you don't want to convey a specific emotion with your dialogue tags, but you don't want to keep using "said" over and over. These options are neutral or nearly neutral:

advised
implied
entreated
hinted
concluded
claimed
held
contended
suggested
insisted
expressed
voiced
chimed in
put forth
announced
observed
imparted
noted
began
continued
uttered
shared
revealed
replied
explained
whispered
went on

Using Other Words Instead of "Said"

The key to using other words instead of "said" is to keep their use to a minimum. Readers don't notice "said" unless it's used over and over; it's a neutral word that carries little emotional weight. However, variations stand out because they carry emotional impact. It's often more powerful to put the emotion into your actual dialogue and the actions of the characters in the form of imagery.
Increase your vocabulary further and browse our list of 150+ words to replace "very" with.

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