Wednesday, July 23, 2014

Words to use instead of Said

I found this list of "words to use instead of said" on a message board somewhere, and I'm re-posting it here.  I can't find it again, though I copied them for my own use.  If anyone knows where they came from originally, please let me know so I can link back to that conversation!  I thought I'd post them here, and see what you think about these words.

Honestly, I don't mind the word said.  I use it a lot because it's very often the best word for the job.  But I've also learned not to adjust the word 'said' with an adverb when a different word for 'said' would work just fine.

For instance, why say "she said breathily" when "she whispered" would work?  It's a stronger sentence.  That's what we're aspiring for in our writing; stronger sentences.  Fewer words to get our points across clearly.  Using these words for said sometimes will surely lead to stronger sentences, but using them too often is sure to distract the reader.

Anyway, here's the list.  Let me know what you think.  

1. Exclaimed
2. Replied
3. Queried
4. Questioned
5. Murmured
6. Muttered
7. Screamed
8. Shouted
9. Whispered
10. Laughed
11. Cried
12. Whined
13. Yelled
14. Answered
15. Encouraged
16. Complained
17. Rasped
18. Whimpered
19. Barked
20. Giggled
21. Ordered
22. Implored
23. Insisted
24. Interrupted
25. Lectured
26. Mimicked
27. Uttered
28. Objected
29. Observed
30. Offered
31. Cowered
32. Sneered
33. Snarled
34. Remembered
35. Lied
36. Exaggerated
37. Cackled
38. Squealed
39. Fretted
40. Sobbed
41. Hollered
42. Persisted
43. Pestered
44. Pleaded
45. Pondered
46. Prattled
47. Prayed
48. Proclaimed
49. Proposed
50. Protested
51. Snapped
52. Added
53. Advised
54. Agreed
55. Allowed
56. Announced
57. Apologized
58. Argued
59. Began
60. Begged
61. Blurted
62. Started
63. Recalled
64. Remarked
65. Repeated
66. Responded
67. Revealed
68. Scolded
69. Simpered
70. Snobbed
71. Spluttered
72. Shrieked
73. Groaned
74. Sighed
75. Gurgled
76. Promised
77. Grumbled
78. Rumbled
79. Mumbled
80. Wondered
81. Thought
82. Told
83. Asked
84. Informed
85. Moaned
86. Breathed
87. Coaxed
88. Chanted
89. Howled
90. Spoke
91. Stammered
92. Sulked
93. Tattled
94. Teased
95. Threatened
96. Tormented
97. Urged
98. Wailed
99. Boasted
100. Called
101. Chatted
102. Chuckled
103. Concluded
104. Decided
105. Declared
106. Denied
107. Disagreed
108. Drawled
109. Inquired
110. Falted
111. Finished
112. Gasped
11. Gloated
113. Grunted
114. Hinted
115. Hissed
116. Warned
117. Wept
118. Wheezed
119. Yawned
120. Tempted
121. Reflected
122. Bellowed
123. Googled
124. Oogled
125. Burble
126. Commanded
127. Wheedled
128. Grizzled
129. Griped
130. Sang
131. Twittered
132. Demanded
134. Wooed
135. Blasted
136. Bit
137. Chewed
138. Bawled
139. Toasted
140. Growled
141. Roasted
142. Hounded
143. Grimaced
144. Slurred
145. Joked
146. Prodded
147. Lamented
148. Mourned
149. Stuttered
150. Dribbled
151. Pronounced
152. Spelled out
153. Reminisced
154. Warbled
155. Elocuted
156. Implied
157. Insinuated
158. Challenged
159. Countered
160. Countermanded
161. Bandied
162. Riposted
163. Deliberated
164. Communicated
165. Oozed
166. Assessed
167. Negated
168. Abnegated
169. Intonated
170. Cussed
171. Cursed
172. Caterwauled
173. Assured
174. Delivered
175. Bleated
176. Dripped
177. Flirted
178. Assented
179. Swore
180. Hesitated
181. Egged-on
182. Confessed
183. Chirped
184. Chirruped
185. Roared
186. Mewed
187. Rattled on
188. Harped on
189. Nattered on
190. Crapped on
191. Went on
192. Continued
193. Blathered
194. Blustered
195. Huffed
196. Nagged
197. Shouted down
198. Squeaked
199. Wished

200. Related

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