Said is a word often overused in writing. It is a strong word with a simple purpose- conveying information. While it does what it intends, it does not carry much extra information. Moreover, a reader might get bored and lose interest in the text if it is overused. Using synonyms for said can add variety and help set the tone in a piece of writing.
The English language is filled with a vocabulary of words that can enhance and enrich a piece of writing. These words can invoke emotion, inspire imagery, summarize ideas, and make a text more concise. Aspiring writers should dedicate time to wordsmithing is a vital aspect of writing that aspiring writers often overlook. Writing exercises help increase a writer’s vocabulary, and is a critical tool in helping aspiring writer’s grow.
Writers who find themselves going to the word said repeatedly might want to consider potential alternatives to enrich their writing. Whether you are writing dialogue or expressing an idea, there is almost always a better word than said that invokes more feeling and tone. Consider these 50 synonyms for said to punch up your writing:
Synonyms for Said and How They Are Used
Added
To say in addition to.
Example:
“And then after we visit Grandma, we can stop at the mall,” added Brandon.
Affirmed
Validated, confirmed
Example:
“I’m with you,” Jack affirmed.
Alleged
To claim without proof.
Example:
The man alleged he had been home all night and had not done anything wrong.
Announced
Made known publicly or officially; proclaimed.
Example:
The band announced they would start selling tickets to the venue on Friday.
Answered
Responded or replied.
Example:
“No, ma’am,” answered a shy voice from the back of the room.
Asserted
Stated a fact or belief confidently and forcefully.
Example:
“I will buckle down and study, and I will pass the Econ final next week,” Jessica asserted.
Blurted
Said suddenly, without thinking.
Example:
“He’s hiding it behind his back,” Henry blurted.
Breathed
Said very quietly.
Example:
“Here they come,” he breathed.
Broadcasted
Spread information.
Example:
Brian broadcasted to the office that he would pick up a pizza.
Chirped
Said in a lively or cheerful way.
Example:
“They’re giving away free sandwiches!” Tom chirped.
Claimed
Stated or asserted.
Example:
The pirate claimed he would show his captors where he buried his treasure, but only if they let him go.
Communicated
Shared or exchanged information.
Example:
Jane communicated the point of her speech and thanked the audience for listening.
Conjectured
Formed an opinion.
Example:
“I think what you’re suggesting isn’t as bad as it seems,” Gabe conjectured.
Conveyed
Made known, to communicated.
Example:
The weatherman conveyed how the storm would sweep through the area later in the night.
Gabbed
Spoke at length (about trivial matters)
Example:
The men gabbed on and on about wood finish and proper brush technique.
Gasped
To say something while catching one’s breath.
Example:
“I’m never running another marathon as long as I live,” Kinsley gasped at the finish line.
Guessed
Estimated or supposed with insufficient information.
Example:
“Maybe they went home,” Marco guessed with a shrug.
Declared
Openly or formally asserted or announced.
Example:
“All joking stops right now!” declared the angry parent.
Delivered
Gave, produced.
Example:
The actress delivered her lines so emotionally that the audience cried.
Described
Gave an account or details of.
Example:
Sally described how the team had worked for hours to meet their deadline.
Disclosed
Revealed secret or new information.
Example:
“Unfortunately, the bakery is going to be closing its doors at the end of the year,” disclosed the woman behind the counter.
Divulged
Made known (something private or secret).
Example:
The disgruntled factory worker disclosed the secret bean formula to the competition.
Drawled
Spoke in a slow, lazy way.
Example:
“Well, what do we have here?” the farmer drawled.
Estimated
Guessed, approximated.
Example:
“There must be a million of them,” John estimated.
Expressed
Conveyed a thought or feeling.
Example:
Layla expressed how riding a bike without a helmet was a bad idea.
Implied
Suggested, but not directly expressed; implicit.
Example:
Diana implied that the key was kept somewhere in the janitor’s desk.
Jawed
Spoke at length, chattered.
Example:
The attendant jawed for five minutes about the weather as Leo pumped his gas.
Lipped
Spoke back to (mouthed off).
Example:
“Maybe you should learn how to keep your eyes on the road,” lipped Quincy.
Maintained
Affirmed.
Example:
“I did not steal that necklace,” Seth maintained.
Mentioned
Referred to something briefly without going into detail.
Example:
The security guard mentioned something about a guided tour of the museum.
Mouthed
Spoke and formed words without making a sound.
Example:
“Let’s leave,” Kurt mouthed during the lecture.
Murmured
Said something in a low, soft, or indistinct voice.
Example:
“Can’t I get a minute to myself,” Shaun muttered to himself.
Opined
Stated one’s opinion.
Example:
“The blue one looks better on you,” her father opined.
Purred
Spoke in a low, soft voice, especially when expressing contentment.
Example:
“That’s the spot,” Lois purred as she scratched her back.
Read
Said printed words.
Example:
“We now serve breakfast,” Valerie read from the sign.
Remarked
Said something as a comment, mentioned.
Example:
“This is some lovely weather we’re having, isn’t it,” Grandma remarked.
Repeated
Said again.
Example:
The class repeated after their teacher, “We promise we won’t cause trouble.”
Replied
Said in response.
Example:
Charlie replied yes to the wedding invitation.
Reported
Formally or officially announced.
Example:
“Everyone has gone home for the night,” the manager reported.
Responded
Said something in reply.
Example:
Jan responded that she would go back and check her answers with a friend.
Revealed
Made previously unknown information known.
Example:
“I was hiding behind the curtains the whole time!” the magician revealed.
Shouted
Uttered a loud call or cry.
Example:
Dad shouted for us to go back inside.
Spouted
Spoke with a long, quick flow.
Example:
The students spouted off the list of presidents that had been drilled into their heads.
Sputtered
Uttered hastily or explosively in confusion or excitement.
Example:
“That can’t be possible!” Nancy sputtered.
Stated
Clearly expressed or identified.
Example:
The voucher’s fine print stated it could be exchanged for a set of golf clubs.
Suggested
Put forward for consideration, expressed indirectly.
Example:
“We could try pushing it?” Vita suggested.
Told
Informed or gave information.
Example:
Pedro told the bikers to take the trail leading north.
Vented
Forcefully expressed (anger).
Example:
Kane’s wife vented about her horrible day.
Voiced
Expressed an attitude or opinion.
Example:
Darren voiced his concerns about the effects raising the price of coffee could have on their customers.
Whispered
Spoke softly.
Example:
Susanna whispered the secret into her friend’s ear.
Why Does Using Synonyms for Said Matter?
Writers often use said to attribute a quote or identify someone’s dialogue. While it is a perfectly acceptable word to use, it tends to be the go-to word and can often be overused. Replacing said with a more appropriate synonyms can help create a more vivid image for readers.
Consider the following example:
“Go to your room!” his mother said.
While the message is simple and easy to communicate, this line lacks extra information. Substituting said with more vibrant synonyms for said can help convey additional meaning and enrich the text. The same sentence gains a lot more weight. From the example above, notice how much more emotion comes across in the following examples by using a deeper vocabulary:
“Go to your room!” his mother bellowed.
“Go to your room!” his mother roared.
“Go to your room!” his mother spat.
The sentence’s meaning gains much more depth by switching a single word. More emotion comes across by using a more descriptive word. Wordcraft is an essential element of writing, and taking time to use the right word can boost your writing to the next level.
The list of synonyms for said compiled here barely scratches the surface. Said is also not the only overused word in writing. Those words will be the topic of future posts. However, said can be a good starting point for working out some of the words you find yourself repeating in your writing.
Writing is a creative art. There is no limit to how writers can weave their words into a masterpiece. However, words are an essential commodity in the craft. Writers can paint more vibrant pictures and more successfully enthrall their audiences when they work with an extended vocabulary.
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