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Do you ever get stuck trying to label your dialogue? When your characters speak, are they yelling, stammering, or simply saying?
The word “said” can go a long way, but sometimes, you might need to mix it up with a different dialogue tag. Whether you're trying to convey emotion, show a character's tone, or just keep your scenes more dynamic, having a variety of dialogue tags at your disposal can make a difference.
This list of synonyms for “said” can help you write dialogue without ever running out of ideas.
What are dialogue tags?
Dialogue tags are the words that indicate which character is speaking. Sometimes, a dialogue tag also indicates how the speaker is delivering the dialogue. Are they using a quiet voice or a loud one? Do they sound nervous or confident?
Consider this sentence:
“These biscuits are dry,” Henry said.
In that sentence, “said” is the dialogue tag.
How should you use these dialogue tags?
While it can be tempting to change up the tag with every line of dialogue, it’s important not to overdo it. Instead, follow these dialogue best practices:
1. Use “said” as your default. “Said” is the most common dialogue tag for a reason. It’s invisible to readers, it’s efficient, and it doesn’t distract from the actual dialogue.
2. Let the dialogue and context do most of the emotional work. You don’t always need to tell your readers what a character is feeling. It’s pretty obvious that a character is shouting angrily if they say, “I hate you!” So you can stick to “said” when the emotion is obvious. However, if you need to add context, like a character delivering that line quietly, you can use a more expressive tag like “hissed.”
3. Avoid adverb overload. Adverbs are words like “angrily,” “quietly,” and “nervously,” and they should be used sparingly with dialogue. So instead of writing “she said angrily,” or “quietly,” or “nervously,” consider using a stronger verb, like “she snapped,” “she whispered,” or “she stuttered.”
4. Don’t over-tag. If it’s already clear who’s speaking, a dialogue tag might be unnecessary. You can also use an action beat instead of a tag, like this:
He slammed the book shut. “I’ve had enough.”
Ultimately, dialogue tags are tools. Use them in ways that enhance your storytelling, rather than distracting from it.
450+ alternative words for said
From emotions like sadness to situations like arguments, the following lists provide “said” alternatives for a variety of needs.
Excitement Words
Use when characters are energized, thrilled, or enthusiastic.
- exclaimed
- cheered
- cried
- gushed
- hollered
- shouted
- whooped
- yelled
- enthused
- blurted
- squealed
- raved
- roared
- sang out
- beamed
- yammered
- trumpeted
Happiness Words
Dialogue tags that reflect joy, contentment, or satisfaction.
- laughed
- chuckled
- beamed
- rejoiced
- giggled
- bubbled
- grinned
- cheered
- cooed
- smiled (with action tag)
- approved
- joked
- praised
- sang
- crowed
- trilled
- effused
- hummed
- caroled
Anger or Frustration Words
When dialogue is tense, aggressive, or emotionally charged.
- snarled
- growled
- snapped
- exploded
- barked
- hissed
- fumed
- warned
- spat
- yelled
- shouted
- cursed
- swore
- threatened
- gritted
- accused
- scolded
- reprimanded
- sneered
- thundered
- screeched
- seethed
- stormed
- bellowed
- demanded
- denounced
- ranted
- raged
Arguing or Debating Words
For back-and-forth, confrontational, or heated exchanges.
- retorted
- countered
- objected
- disputed
- insisted
- reiterated
- restated
- argued
- appealed
- debated
- noted
- pointed out
- opined
- disagreed
- challenged
- backtracked
- deflected
- retaliated
- insulted
- snapped
- shot
- taunted
- protested
- persisted
- dared
- rebutted
- refuted
- interrogated
- questioned
- debated
- corrected
- interjected
- conceded
- acquiesced
- concluded
- fired back
Asking Words
Great for questions or inquiries.
- asked
- inquired
- queried
- questioned
- wondered
- contemplated
- pondered
- guessed
- probed
- demanded
- prompted
- quizzed
- hypothesized
- requested
- pressed
- challenged
- posed
- speculated
- sought
Answering Words
Used when characters respond to a question or prompt.
- replied
- answered
- responded
- stated
- clarified
- specified
- explained
- maintained
- relayed
- assured
- acknowledged
- nodded (with action tag)
- echoed
- agreed
- verified
- accepted
- confirmed
- affirmed
- conceded
- retorted
- repeated
Sadness Words
When a character is downcast, melancholic, or grieving.
- murmured
- whispered
- sobbed
- bawled
- blubbered
- wailed
- sighed
- wept
- moaned
- lamented
- mumbled
- whimpered
- groaned
- choked
- sniffled
- uttered
- faltered
- quavered
- cried
Annoyance Words
Tags showing irritation or mild anger.
- grumbled
- muttered
- snapped
- groused
- grunted
- huffed
- complained
- snarked
- scoffed
- sneered
- growled
- barked
- pouted
- snorted
- whined
- whinged
- griped
- chided
- chastised
Fear Words
When the dialogue conveys terror, nervousness, or anxiety.
- gasped
- whispered
- worried
- stammered
- shuddered
- trembled
- quaked
- choked
- cried
- whimpered
- breathed
- gulped
- fretted
- prayed
- shivered
- yelped
- squeaked
- muttered
- quavered
- screamed
- yowled
- shrieked
Laughter Words
Tags that convey different kinds of amusement.
- chuckled
- laughed
- giggled
- cackled
- snorted
- guffawed
- tittered
- roared
- howled
- snickered
- chortled
- squealed
- burst out
- jested
- joked
- joshed
- ribbed
- bantered
Convincing Words
Use for a character trying to convince, when persuasion or insistence is key.
- urged
- insisted
- pleaded
- persuaded
- goaded
- nagged
- suggested
- begged
- cajoled
- encouraged
- advised
- counseled
- pressed
- coaxed
- beseeched
- reasoned
- convinced
- implored
- asserted
- assured
- badgered
- needled
- prodded
- emphasized
- stressed
Announcement Words
To express public or declarative dialogue.
- announced
- declared
- proclaimed
- stated
- notified
- broadcast
- bloviated
- pronounced
- revealed
- testified
- informed
- reported
- trumpeted
- preached
- disclosed
- affirmed
- recited
- orated
- presented
Uncertainty Words
When a character isn’t sure or is hesitating.
- hesitated
- muttered
- mumbled
- stammered
- faltered
- wavered
- vacillated
- guessed
- pondered
- wondered
- swallowed
- trailed off
- questioned
- sniffled
- squeaked
- blinked (with action tag)
Disgust Words
Used when characters express repulsion or disdain.
- sneered
- spat
- growled
- grimaced (with action tag)
- cringed (with action tag)
- snorted
- scoffed
- retched
- sniffed
- snorted
- muttered
- snarled
- snapped
- derided
Embarrassment Words
When a character feels shy, awkward, or humiliated.
- mumbled
- stammered
- blushed (with action tag)
- faltered
- whispered
- sighed
- trailed off
- babbled
- admitted
- confessed
- spilled
Flirting or Seducing Words
For dialogue with romantic or seductive undertones.
- purred
- cooed
- teased
- whispered
- drawled
- flirted
- murmured
- sang
- crooned
- lilted
- breathed
- simpered
Surprise Words
For moments of shock, amazement, or confusion.
- gasped
- exclaimed
- cried
- shouted
- yelped
- sputtered
- blurted
- stammered
- breathed
- gaped
- marveled
Sleepiness Words
Used when characters are tired or drifting off.
- yawned
- mumbled
- murmured
- slurred
- sighed
- whispered
- groaned
- drawled
- trailed off
- grunted
Thoughtfulness Words
When characters are reflecting, pondering, or unsure.
- mused
- murmured
- considered
- surmised
- theorized
- postulated
- reflected
- ondered
- wished
- reasoned
- noted
- guessed
- observed
- replied slowly
- thought aloud
- ventured
Explaining Words
Great for instructions or clarification within dialogue.
- explained
- detailed
- elaborated
- clarified
- instructed
- ordered
- directed
- outlined
- described
- informed
- expounded
- dictated
- stated
- broke down
- answered
- moralized
- walked through
Speech Mannerism Words
Tags that describe how the character is speaking (tone, pacing, etc.).
- drawled
- deadpanned
- mumbled
- whispered
- murmured
- slurred
- lisped
- barked
- spat
- blurted
- droned
- intoned
- rasped
- wheezed
- choked out
- enunciated
- croaked
- groaned
Words for General Use
These can be used in most dialogue situations.
- stated
- replied
- commented
- answered
- noted
- attested
- mentioned
- responded
- observed
- recalled
- recounted
- remembered
- voiced
- added
- remarked
- yapped
- quipped
- began
- continued
- went on
- finished
- concluded
- explained
- declared
- informed
- reported
- communicated
- articulated
- mouthed
- claimed
- shared
- vocalized
- yakked
- called
- chimed
- told
- decided
- piped
- implied
- hinted
- jabbered
- rambled
- proposed
- indicated
Other Dialogue Words
For particular purposes not covered above.
- apologized
- lied
- greeted
- welcomed
- invited
- bleated
- smirked
- boasted
- bragged
- bossed
- gloated
- prattled
- jeered
- heckled
- mimicked
- mocked
- parodied
- satirized
- ridiculed
- avowed
- vowed
- divulged
- imparted
- offered
- promised
- soothed
- gibed
- sassed
- blustered