Tagging dialogue is always a challenge. Using the word “said” is the default. It’s invisible. The reader doesn’t even notice it. So unless your speaker is screaming or ranting or whispering, etc. “said” is safe. It reflects basic communication. It lets the dialogue do the talking (pun intended). But if you’re like me, you probably write lots of dialogue and writing “said” a few hundred times doesn’t always cover your bases, and thinking of yet another word for “screamed” or “groaned” can be time consuming. I’ve been working on collecting words for “said” the last few weeks, and organizing them into categories that make sense.
Below is a link to a PDF of a few hundred Words for Said, but I’ve also included them in this post. Enjoy. Use them sparingly in your writing, but use them imaginatively. I hope I’ve saved you some work.
Afraid/Rattled
- babbled
- blubbered
- blurted
- coughed
- fretted
- gasped
- gurgled
- jabbered
- prattled
- quaked
- quivered
- rambled
- rattled
- shuddered
- sobbed
- sputtered
- squeaked
- stammered
- stuttered
- trembled
- whimpered
Anger/Annoyance
- accused
- argued
- asserted
- barked
- bawled
- beefed
- bellowed
- bellyached
- bitched
- carped
- chastised
- complained
- countered
- cried
- demanded
- disagreed
- exclaimed
- fumed
- fussed
- groaned
- griped
- grouched
- groused
- growled
- grumbled
- grunted
- hissed
- howled
- huffed
- kvetched
- moaned
- mocked
- nagged
- objected
- protested
- quipped
- raged
- ranted
- raved
- retorted
- roared
- sassed
- scoffed
- scolded
- screamed
- screeched
- seethed
- shouted
- shrieked
- snapped
- snarled
- sneered
- sputtered
- squawked
- stormed
- swore
- taunted
- wailed
- whined
- yammered
Even-Keeled/Misc.
- acknowledged
- added
- addressed
- admitted
- advised
- began
- chatted
- chattered
- chimed in
- commented
- concluded
- continued
- described
- dictated
- disclosed
- drawled
- droned
- echoed
- explained
- expressed
- gabbed
- instructed
- lectured
- lisped
- maintained
- mentioned
- mused
- observed
- offered
- noted
- pointed out
- pondered
- posed
- preached
- professed
- quoted
- reasoned
- recalled
- reckoned
- related
- remarked
- repeated
- replied
- reported
- restated
- said
- speculated
- spoke
- started
- stated
- suggested
- surmised
- told
- uttered
- voiced
- vowed
Happy/Laughing
- affirmed
- approved
- assured
- bubbled
- cheered
- chortled
- chuckled
- clucked
- comforted
- crooned
- encouraged
- giggled
- guffawed
- jeered
- jested
- joked
- laughed
- lilted
- marveled
- praised
- gushed
- quipped
- reassured
- rejoiced
- sang
- smirked
- snickered
- snorted
- trilled
wondered
Loudly/Forcefully
- announced
- barked
- bawled
- beckoned
- begged
- bellowed
- beseeched
- bleated
- blurted
- boasted
- boomed
- bossed
- bragged
- broadcast
- burst out
- cajoled
- called
- coaxed
- commanded
- cried
- crowed
- declared
- dictated
- demanded
- emphasized
- exclaimed
- hollered
- howled
- implored
- insisted
- interrupted
- ordered
- pestered
- pleaded
- pressed
- proclaimed
- provoked
- ordered
- roared
- screamed
- screeched
- shouted
- shrieked
- squawked
- taunted
- teased
- thundered
- touted
- trumpeted
- urged
- vowed
- wailed
- warned
- yammered
- yawped
- yelled
- yelped
- yowled
Questions/Answers
- accepted
- acknowledged
- admitted
- affirmed
- agreed
- answered
- argued
- asked
- asserted
- assured
- avowed
- claimed
- clarified
- conceded
- confessed
- corrected
- countered
- disagreed
- divulged
- explained
- informed
- inquired
- interrogated
- persuaded
- posed
- pried
- proposed
- puzzled
- queried
- questioned
- quizzed
- rejoined
- replied
- requested
- responded
- retorted
- suggested
Softly/Meekly
- breathed
- cautioned
- choked
- comforted
- confided
- croaked
- mumbled
- murmured
- muttered
- purred
- sighed
- sputtered
- squeaked
- thought aloud
- whispered
whimpered
Unhappy
- agonized
- bawled
- blubbered
- cried
- grieved
- groaned
- lamented
- mourned
- sighed
- sniffled
- sniveled
- sobbed
- wailed
- wept
- whimpered
You forgot a category: Disgusting. I can think of a few characters for whom the tag, he farted or he belched would be appropriate. (i.e. Some the characters in Shawn’s book)
Belched. Good one. Not sure if “farted” is actually a dialogue tag is it? “Come here,” he farted loudly. … What part of him is doing the talking?
Wow…this is golden. I’m sending you a bazillion thank you’s (financial value: $0; other kind of value: hopefully something decent) for sharing this list. You Rock!
“My pleasure,” I crooned … no … trilled.