200 Words Instead of 'Said'

[somesh]

200 words you can use instead of said...Although keep in mind that these are not synonyms for said. They can be used to give the correct expression to the sentence. Said is alright but using it over and over could create boredom. Us them with discretion as each word applies to a different situation.



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. Gripe
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

[starrwriter]

Good list, he said.

[Pen]

Obviously it is necessary to use a varied vocabulary and avoid using bland words like "said" too much, but I think it important to note that it can be just as much a mistake to go out of one's way to use words other than "said."

Anyway, that list is interesting. It sort of showed me how limited my "said" vocabulary is. Even though I am familiar with many words that can stand in for "said," I find that it only occurs to me to use surprizingly few of them.

[kal]

Nice list, but said is practically invisible in prose. Use it more often than anything else. If it is a back and forth between two chatacters after a while you won't need to put anything after them, but said is the best thing to put most cases. You scan over it.

[Tifted]

We're still actually debating about the usefulness of 'said'? I thought all that all the world's writers already learned that lesson.

[somesh]

ya well there's nothing wrong with said.
But you need to add variety
If a conversation goes on too long you don't use "He said" or "He enunciated" anymore

You just put it in quotes

"Sir, accept my apologies. I could not save the city"
"Don't apologize. I should be the one who should apologize. I should be out there fighting but am forced to live inside these stone walls"
"It is not your fault master. You don't have a choice"
"Yes its an excuse I've been giving myself for the last 240 years"
...
...

[Q Wands]

Not that anyone is asking me (but that has never stopped me before and it won't stop me now), but I do try to avoid using 'said' too much. It gets a tad tedious, I find. On the other hand, using a substitute simply for the sake of - well, using a substitute - can be ineffective.

I thought your list was interesting, Somesh (beware whenever anyone says something is interesting ), but I do think you have included some rather dubious options. Numbers 38 and 110 are misspelt, by the way. Number 70 is obsolete, so much so that I have never even come across it in the Victorian literature I read. Number 136 is tenuous and number 137 outlandish. Number 143 refers to facial expression and not communication. Similarly, Number 150 refers to an action, not language. Number 155 is not a real word (no matter how hard you try), and Number 190 is just plain silly.

On the other hand, you have missed many valid, useful and legal options, but I'm not going to tell you what they are because that's the way I am.

Thank you for an amusing post.

Cheers,
QW

[somesh]

thanks for the suggestion. I have struck off some of the words though I can't be sure 70

[Q Wands]

Originally Posted by somesh

thanks for the suggestion. I have struck off some of the words though I can't be sure 70

70. snob, v.i. to weep or sob violently. [Obs]

As I say, I read a lot of Victorian literature, so often come across words seldom used today, but this is one that has never cropped up (as a verb). Whilst I'm all for keeping old words alive, some are best forgotten. I think snob is one of them.

110. Falted? Did you mean faulted because falted is not a word.


Still a good list, by the way.

Cheers,
QW

[BreezyWriter]

Originally Posted by kal

Nice list, but said is practically invisible in prose. Use it more often than anything else. If it is a back and forth between two chatacters after a while you won't need to put anything after them, but said is the best thing to put most cases. You scan over it.

Couldn't have said it better.

Pen wrote it beautifully as well.

In my research, several times I've come across the saying; use the invisible prose as much as possible. The other words come out beautifully if used sparsely.

Nice list by the way, alot better then I've come across.


By using the show don't tell method, the prose become even more invisible.

Meaning as the wording is written indicate the action that is happening at the same time.

Robert fixed his tie as he said. "Right, what ever you say!"
Lori pushed his hands away and said. "Your not listening to what I'm trying to convey."

instead of the steadfast

Robert said. "Right, what ever you say!"
Lori answered. "Your not listening to what I'm trying to convey."

[somesh]

Originally Posted by Queen of Wands

70. snob, v.i. to weep or sob violently. [Obs]

As I say, I read a lot of Victorian literature, so often come across words seldom used today, but this is one that has never cropped up (as a verb). Whilst I'm all for keeping old words alive, some are best forgotten. I think snob is one of them.

QW

I think snob's not so obsolete. I've heard it a couple of times :"He snobbed and stop snobbing" etc ...Its not that stupid btw.

[Q Wands]

Originally Posted by somesh

I think snob's not so obsolete. I've heard it a couple of times :"He snobbed and stop snobbing" etc ...Its not that stupid btw.

Somesh,

I never used the word 'stupid', so I will thank you not to infer that I did. I have rather more consideration for people, in general, than to use such derogatory language.

As for snobbed, as someone interested in etymology, I am intrigued that the word is still used in your locality. Was it used in the sense defined? And may I ask where this is precisely? This is extremely interesting to me because the word was classed as obsolete in the 1970s. That it should still be in use, in its original sense, currently, is amazing.

Thank you for taking my curiostiy seriously, since that is what it is.

Yours sincerely,
QW

[Pen]

Even if a word is still used occasionally, you don't necessarily want to use it in your writing. If the word is likely to construe the wrong meaning even to well-educated readers and it is not entirely necessary to the text, it is probably not beneficial to use. I mean, if you're writing a book set in a time and place where that word would be used, it's one thing, but otherwise....

[Q Wands]

Agreed, Pen. The use of snobbed, presuming it is used within the context of its original definition (and is not some modern slang concerning snobbishness) would be an interesting anomoly. However, one anomoly would hardly constitute a word not being obsolete. For example, I like the word 'murfle', although I have never seen or heard it used, other than my own personal usage.

[somesh]

Originally Posted by Queen of Wands

Somesh,

I never used the word 'stupid', so I will thank you not to infer that I did. I have rather more consideration for people, in general, than to use such derogatory language.

As for snobbed, as someone interested in etymology, I am intrigued that the word is still used in your locality. Was it used in the sense defined? And may I ask where this is precisely? This is extremely interesting to me because the word was classed as obsolete in the 1970s. That it should still be in use, in its original sense, currently, is amazing.

Thank you for taking my curiostiy seriously, since that is what it is.

Yours sincerely,
QW

After much struggle to save it from extinction, I acquiesce to your demonic endeavors towards ending the life of such a beautiful word.
May its soul find after its death, the respect that it never found in the hearts of those it entertained for years.
Amen

[Q Wands]

Originally Posted by somesh

After much struggle to save it from extinction, I acquiesce to your demonic endeavors towards ending the life of such a beautiful word.
May its soul find after its death, the respect that it never found in the hearts of those it entertained for years.
Amen

Oh, Somesh! I didn't kill 'snob'! The word, in that usage, is obsolete according to the fine folk who compile dictionaries. Just accept that obsolete words should not necessarily be resurrected, not least because language changes. For every word we lose, we probably gain two new ones. Of course, as Pen said earlier, if you are writing a historical piece and the word would suit your period, then go ahead and use it. But don't be surprised if your readers fail to understand the meaning.

By the way, I'd still like to know when and where you heard this used to mean 'sob violently'. Perhaps it still exists in dialect?

QW

[somesh]

Originally Posted by Queen of Wands

By the way, I'd still like to know when and where you heard this used to mean 'sob violently'. Perhaps it still exists in dialect?
QW

Actually its not with the dialect. Indians follow British English as their writing. And in speaking, they have quite a different accent altogether. Anyways, I have heard the word snob and yes in the context that you mentioned.
I read a lot of books from everywhere so I might have seen it around a couple of times and that's why it registered.

And yeah I do know you're not trying to kill the word. I was just exaggerating it. I and Vivek used to write occasionally in genre called pablums (its not a genre, but anyways) so we picked up the toughest words from our vocabulary and spun them aroud in a way that not many would understand but most would find it funny.

[Mridula]

I'm an Indian and I've never heard of 'snob' being used as a verb.

Regardless of whether 'snob' is used in the context you say it is, how about you let the discussion die here and let others use it to their own discretion? For the sake of peace and goodwill in the world.

[somesh]

Originally Posted by Mridula

I'm an Indian and I've never heard of 'snob' being used as a verb.

Regardless of whether 'snob' is used in the context you say it is, how about you let the discussion die here and let others use it to their own discretion? For the sake of peace and goodwill in the world.

Originally Posted by me

Actually its not with the dialect. Indians follow British English as their writing. And in speaking, they have quite a different accent altogether. Anyways, I have heard the word snob and yes in the context that you mentioned.
I read a lot of books from everywhere so I might have seen it around a couple of times and that's why it registered.

So I said that its nothing to do the dialect or for me being an indian

Anyways, let the discussion die.

[Bobby]

Wow. That's a lot of words :P.

I'll save that.

[ambergrosjean]

You can also avoid it all together. When you have two people talking, you know who is saying what by using actions.

Amber folded the towels as Billy walked into the room. "So how was your day, dear?"
"It was great. How was yours?"
"I can't complain." She tossed the towel into the basket and picked up a shirt.

Sometimes, you need to say it and sometimes you don't. Thought I'd give a little help here too lol.

Amber

[somesh]

It can be avoided altogether as well but sometimes, its better to give the expression

Slaith walked into the room and saw Krissy toying with his underwear.
"What do you think you are doing?", he demanded

"Err... I am sorry sir", she said trembling


IT kind of makes clear that Slaith didn't like what he saw

"Shut up," he explained.

[somesh]

Originally Posted by Lin

"Shut up," he explained.

sorry what does that mean?

It's my favorite example of "not-said". It's from a book. I can't remember which one.

It's to make you smile.

...I expostulated.

[Haydos]

cheers a heap for the list =]

ill deffinetly be sure to use these words now...in moderation of course

All good advice. Too many saids does get tedious. Using an example from something I wrote that has gotten some comments that the conversations seem to flow well, here are a few lines:

“What’s this?”

“Candy and cookies. Mary made them.”

“Toss ‘em out in the snow for the birds. I don’t want them.”

Jim laid the box on the knotty pine end table. “I’ll leave them here in case you change your mind.”

Ruben got up, snatched the box off the table and threw it into the fire. “Told you I don’t want ‘em!”

“You grumpy old fart. I don’t know why I bothered coming here.”

There aren't any "said" words or even any substitutions for it. In fact, in the 2,364 word story, I only used "said" 4 times (if you don't count the 4 times the characters used the word when talking to each other).

Overusing "said" would make it read like this:

Ruben asked, “What’s this?”

“Candy and cookies. Mary made them.”, said Jim.

Ruben said, “Toss ‘em out in the snow for the birds. I don’t want them.”

Jim laid the box on the knotty pine end table and said, “I’ll leave them here in case you change your mind.”

Ruben got up, snatched the box off the table and threw it into the fire. He then said, “Told you I don’t want ‘em!”

Upset, Jim said, “You grumpy old fart. I don’t know why I bothered coming here.”

Just substituting the said words with alternative said words might end up rather silly and sound like this:

Ruben growled, “What’s this?”

“Candy and cookies. Mary made them.”, Jim explained.

Ruben declared, “Toss ‘em out in the snow for the birds. I don’t want them.”

Jim laid the box on the knotty pine end table and muttered, “I’ll leave them here in case you change your mind.”

Ruben got up, snatched the box off the table and threw it into the fire. He then vociferated, “Told you I don’t want ‘em!”

Upset, Jim reciprocated, “You grumpy old fart. I don’t know why I bothered coming here.”

The other downside to using "said" and its substitutes is that you have to include a reference to who said it each time. Readers will get tired of hearing the names over and over and using "he" or "she" too much can confuse the reader if there are multiple "he"s and "she"s in the story.

[wewere]

Wow, looking at the list I really should use one of those different words instead of said. I have to admit said is stuck to my writing. Thanks for making this list. I think I will refer to it while writing.

[ShadowOfLegends]

That's quite a list there, I've been looking for something like that for awhile. My said vocabulary is kind of limited and this list will definately help. thanks xD

[OnceUponATime]

"Well, what an impressive list," she wheezed.

May I take up for the much-maligned 'said' verb?

While varying your dialogue tags every now and then is great, it is advised by umpteen-thousand writing how-to manuals to use 'said' rather than the much fancier words unless you're trying to 'show' someone changing their pitch in voice, screaming, shouting, etc. The reason is that fancier dialogue tags tend to grab the eye and 'jolt' the reader from an otherwise smooth read. Using the word 'said' (or 'asked' or 'replied') is advised by editors and publishers simply because the reader's eye glides right over it, allowing the reader to focus more on the narrative, which is supposed to be more important. Besides, if you're 'showing' your story rather than 'telling' it, you really don't need to use 'said' or any of its alternatives that often, anyway.

just my .000002

Jillian