Spice up your dialogue. Below are 272 alternatives for “said” that, used sparingly, can help your characters jump off the page. For more writing support, check out our services for authors, such as editing and proofreading, cover design, and eBook formatting, or simply contact us today to talk through your biggest writing challenges.

accused corrected lamented ridiculed acknowledged coughed laughed roared added countered lectured sang admitted cried lied sassed advised croaked lisped scoffed affirmed crowed maintained scolded agreed cursed marvelled screamed alleged dared mentioned screeched announced decided mimicked seethed answered declared moaned shared apologized defended mocked shot approved demanded motioned shouted argued demurred mumbled shrieked asked denied murmured shrilled asserted described mused sighed assured disagreed muttered simpered babbled disclosed nagged slurred badgered divulged nodded smirked barked drawled noted snapped bawled dribbled objected snarled began echoed observed sneered begged effused offered snickered bellowed emphasized opined sniffed bleated encouraged ordered sniffled blubbered exclaimed panted snorted blurted explained pestered sobbed boasted exploded piped spat boomed exulted pleaded speculated bragged finished pled spilled breathed fretted pointed out spluttered bubbled gasped pondered spoke burst out gawked praised sputtered cackled gibed prayed squeaked cajoled giggled proclaimed squealed called gloated promised stammered cautioned greeted pronounced started challenged grimaced proposed stated chattered groaned protested stormed cheered growled provoked stressed chided grumbled purred stuttered chimed in grunted put in suggested chirped guessed puzzled surmised chittered gulped queried taunted choked gurgled questioned teased chortled gushed quipped tempted chorused hinted quizzed tested chuckled hissed raged testified claimed hollered ranted thanked clarified howled reasoned theorized clucked huffed reassured threatened coached hummed recalled thundered coaxed hypothesized reckoned trilled comforted imitated recounted urged commanded implied reiterated volunteered commented implored related vowed complained informed remarked wailed complimented inquired remembered warned conceded insinuated reminded went on concluded insisted repeated wept concurred instructed replied wheezed confessed insulted reported whimpered confided interjected requested whined confirmed interrupted resounded whispered congratulated intimated responded wondered contended jeered retaliated worried continued jested retorted yawned contributed jibed returned yelled convinced joked revealed yelped

Occasionally replacing “said” with words from the list above can deepen your writing, heightening emotion for readers and helping you flesh out your characters. For guidance on a work in progress or for help publishing a manuscript, explore our services for authors, which include book marketing, query letter writing, and author website creation. You can also contact us with any questions.

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