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Last updated on Dec 02, 2021

270+ Other Words For "Said" To Supercharge Your Writing

If you've read our previous post on writing dialogue, you'll know that you shouldn't be afraid to default to he said, she said, or they said when you're tagging your dialogue. After all, it's probably the clearest, least distracting way to indicate who's saying what. That being said, it can be useful to deploy a specific and powerful dialogue tag every now and again. 

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To help you find that perfect synonym to inject action and emotion into your dialogue, here are over 270 other words for said:

Q: What are some techniques authors can use to introduce characters naturally through dialogue?

Suggested answer

Dialogue is one of the most powerful ways to introduce your characters and bring them to life for readers. When done well, it reveals personality, relationships, and motivations—all in a way that feels natural and engaging. Here are a few techniques to make character introductions through dialogue memorable, with examples from authors I’ve worked with.

Show Personality Through Speech Patterns

The way a character speaks—their tone, choice of words, and rhythm—can reveal a lot about who they are. In Losing Juliet by June Taylor, the dialogue between two adult female characters is a perfect example. One character is guarded and precise, while the other’s tone is more casual and assertive. This contrast instantly tells us about their personalities and sets up their complex dynamic. When editing, I often help authors create unique speech patterns that make each character’s voice distinctive.

Reflect Relationships Through Dialogue

How characters speak to each other reveals their relationship dynamics. In Losing Juliet, Taylor uses subtle hints in the dialogue to convey past secrets and tension without spelling it all out. Readers sense the history and conflict between the characters, making the dialogue feel rich and layered. When I work with authors, I encourage exploring these nuances in relationships, showing rather than telling.

Reveal Motivation Through Subtext

Great dialogue often goes beyond what’s explicitly said. In The Hanged Man Rises by Sarah Naughton, the children’s dialogue is filled with innocence and curiosity, yet it often hints at deeper fears and uncertainties. This subtle layer adds intrigue without needing direct exposition. I frequently work with authors to find opportunities for subtext, letting readers read between the lines to discover characters’ hidden motivations.

Show Conflict and Tension

Conflict in dialogue can reveal a character’s core traits. In The Hanged Man Rises, Naughton’s children’s dialogue shows both their vulnerability and resilience, heightening the story’s suspense. In Losing Juliet, conversations between the protagonists highlight simmering anger and unresolved issues, offering readers a glimpse of what drives each character. When editing, I encourage authors to think about how characters might speak differently under pressure—revealing who they are when emotions run high.

Balance Dialogue with Actions and Reactions

Dialogue is most impactful when paired with physical cues. In Losing Juliet, Taylor often uses gestures and subtle actions to deepen the impact of what’s said (or left unsaid). These small cues add depth, creating a more immersive experience. I often advise authors to integrate these details, as they can make dialogue feel more real and relatable.

Reflect Character Growth in Speech

As characters evolve, so should their dialogue. In The Hanged Man Rises, Naughton’s young characters’ dialogue changes as they face challenges, reflecting their growth over the course of the story. This shift makes their journey feel authentic, and I often encourage authors to consider these changes as they develop characters’ arcs.

Shelley is available to hire on Reedsy

How much or how little a character "speaks" says a lot about them. A dialect can also reveal where they are from. Broken English or a stutter can also say a lot. Dialogue is a great way to "show" and not "tell."

Melody is available to hire on Reedsy

The main thing to get across when introducing characters through dialogue is to write it so it feels natural. Constantly ask yourself if the way you're making them speak is the way regular people in those circumstances would speak. If it sounds too stilted or infodump-y, that's going to distance your reader from the character because they'll feel unreal, manufactured—just there to move the plot along.

Brett is available to hire on Reedsy

Answers provided by professionals available on reedsy.com

Neutral/multi-purpose words

Acknowledged

Added

Agreed

Announced

Articulated

Asserted

Backtracked

Began

Blurted

Called

Commented

Communicated

Conferred

Considered

Contended

Declared

Denoted

Drawled

Elaborated

Emitted

Ended

Enunciated

Expounded

Expressed

Greeted

Interjected

Mentioned

Noted

Observed

Orated

Persisted

Predicted

Pronounced

Quipped

Recited

Reckoned

Related

Remarked

Repeated

Replied

Responded

Shared

Slurred

Stated

Suggested

Told

Urged

Uttered

Vocalized

Voiced

 


Happy/excited words 

Approved

Babbled

Beamed

Bubbled

Chattered

Cheered

Chimed in

Chortled

Chuckled

Congratulated

Complimented

Crooned

Effused

Exclaimed

Giggled

Grinned

Gushed

Jabbered

Joked

 

Laughed

Praised

Rejoiced

Sang

Smiled

Thanked

Tittered

Trilled

Yammered

 


Sad/upset words 

Agonized

Apologized

Bawled

Blubbered

Cried

Fretted

Grieved

Groaned

Lamented

Mewled

Moaned

Mumbled

Sobbed

Sighed

Sniffled

Sniveled

Wailed

Wept


Angry words 

Accused

Choked

Badgered

Barked

Bellowed

Chastised

Cursed

Demanded

Exploded

Fumed

Glowered

Growled

Hissed

Insulted

Raged

Ranted

Reprimanded

Roared

Scolded

 

Screamed

Screeched

Snarled

Spat

Shouted

Swore

Thundered

Vociferated

Yelled

 


Annoyed words

Bleated

Complained

Condemned

Criticized

Exhaled

Groused

Grumbled

Grunted

Heaved

Insisted

Mocked

Rasped

Rejoined

Retorted

Scoffed

Smirked

Snapped

Whined


Frightened/pained words

Coughed

Cautioned

Gulped

Howled

Keened

Panted

Prayed

Quavered

Screamed

Shrieked

Shuddered

Squalled

Squealed

Trembled

Wailed

Warbled

Whimpered

Yelped

Yowled

Warned

 


Prideful words

Advertised

Bloviated

Boasted

Boomed

Bossed

Bragged

Broadcasted

Crowed

Exhorted

Dictated

Gloated

Moralized

Ordered

 

Prattled

Preached

Sermonized

Snorted

Swaggered

Trumpeted

 


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Words to express uncertainty

Breathed

Doubted

Faltered

Hesitated

Lilted

Mumbled

Murmured

Muttered

Shrugged

Squeaked

Stammered

 

Stuttered

Swallowed

Trailed off

Vacillated

Whispered

 


Words that make fun

Derided

Jeered

Heckled

Lampooned

Mocked

Mimicked

Parodied

Ridiculed

Satirized

Scorned

Spoofed

Sneered

Snickered

Taunted

Teased


Words that ask a question

Asked

Begged

Challenged

Contemplated

Guessed

Hinted

Hypothesized

Implied

Inquired

Interrogated

Invited

Mouthed

Mused

Pleaded

Pondered

Probed

Proposed

Puzzled

Repeated

Requested

Requisitioned

Queried

Questioned

Quizzed

Solicited

Speculated

Wondered


Words that give an answer

Accepted

Advised

Affirmed

Alleged

Answered

Assured

Avowed

Claimed

Conceded

Concluded

Confided

Confirmed

Explained

Disclosed

Disseminated

Divulged

Imparted

Informed

Indicated

Maintained

Notified

Offered

Passed on

Proffered

Promised

Promulgated

Released

Reported

Revealed

Shared

Specified

Speculated

Supposed

Testified

Transmitted

Verified


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Upgrade your dialogue with our list of 270 alternatives to “said.”


To see how master writers assemble their dialogue, head over to our final post in this series for some choice examples of dialogue.

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