Say What? 96 Words to Use Instead of “Said” in Your Stories – useful for KS2 pupils

From whispers to roars, these 96 alternatives to “said” will help you express your characters’ emotions and make your writing stand out.

1. Whispered – To speak very quietly or softly, often to keep something secret or private.
2. Shouted – To speak very loudly or forcefully, often to express strong emotion or urgency.
3. Muttered – To speak in a low, unclear voice, often expressing discontent or dissatisfaction.
4. Yelled – To shout loudly and forcefully, often to express anger or frustration.
5. Screamed – To make a loud, high-pitched sound, often in a moment of panic or fear.
6. Bellowed – To shout or roar loudly, often to express anger or frustration.
7. Hissed – To make a sharp, sibilant sound, often to express disapproval or warning.
8. Murmured – To speak in a low, indistinct voice, often conveying a sense of secrecy or intimacy.
9. Chirped – To make a short, high-pitched sound, often resembling that of a bird or insect.
10. Coaxed – To persuade or encourage someone gently or patiently.
11. Crooned – To sing or hum in a soft, soothing voice, often to comfort or calm someone.
12. Drawled – To speak slowly and lazily, often with a Southern accent.
13. Grumbled – To complain or express dissatisfaction in a low, rumbling voice.
14. Hummed – To make a low, continuous sound with the lips closed, often indicating contentment or concentration.
15. Lilted – To speak or sing in a light, cheerful voice, often with a lilting or rising intonation.
16. Mumbled – To speak unclearly or unintelligibly, often due to nervousness or shyness.
17. Peeped – To make a short, high-pitched sound, often indicating surprise or curiosity.
18. Prattled – To talk at length in a foolish or childish manner, often without making sense.
19. Purred – To make a soft, low, continuous sound, often resembling that of a cat or other animal.
20. Quavered – To speak or sing with a trembling voice, often indicating fear or nervousness.
21. Ranted – To speak or shout in a violent or angry manner, often expressing strong opinions or emotions.
22. Replied – To answer or respond to something that was said or asked.
23. Sighed – To exhale audibly and deeply, often indicating relief or sadness.
24. Simpered – To smile in a silly or affected manner, often with a sense of insincerity or coyness.
25. Snapped – To speak or reply in a sharp or curt manner, often expressing annoyance or impatience.
26. Snarled – To speak or growl in a hostile or aggressive manner, often indicating anger or threat.
27. Snickered – To laugh quietly or derisively, often in a sneaky or mocking manner.
28. Sobbed – To cry or weep uncontrollably, often indicating grief or sadness.
29. Squeaked – To make a short, high-pitched sound, often resembling that of a mouse or other small animal.
30. Stammered – To speak with difficulty or hesitation, often due to nervousness or uncertainty.
31. Teased – To make playful or mocking remarks, often in a good-natured way.
32. Threw in – To add or interject a comment or remark during a conversation or discussion.
33. Twanged – To make a sharp, vibrating sound, often resembling that of a plucked string or elastic.
34. Twittered – To make a series of short, high-pitched
35. Uttered – To speak or express something, often with a sense of intentionality or emphasis.
36. Guffawed – To express loud and boisterous laughter, often in an unrestrained manner.
37. Joked – To tell a funny or amusing story or make a humorous remark.
38. Taunted – To make insulting or mocking remarks to provoke someone.
39. Mocked – To imitate or mimic someone in a ridiculing or scornful manner.
40. Ridiculed – To make fun of someone or something in a cruel or insulting way.
41. Belittled – To make someone or something seem unimportant or of little value.
42. Berated – To scold or criticize someone in a harsh or angry manner.
43. Chided – To express mild disapproval or criticism, often in a gentle or friendly manner.
44. Reprimanded – To express formal disapproval or criticism, often by an authority figure.
45. Scolded – To express mild or formal disapproval or criticism, often in a parental or disciplinary context.
46. Rebuked – To express strong disapproval or criticism, often in a rebuking or reprimanding manner.
47. Reproached – To express disappointment or disapproval, often in a reproaching or admonishing manner.
48. Corrected – To point out an error or mistake, often in a corrective or instructive manner.
49. Admonished – To express warning or caution, often in a stern or admonishing manner.
50. Warned – To express caution or advice about a potential danger or problem.
51. Cautioned – To express a warning or admonition, often in a cautious or careful manner.
52. Advised – To give guidance or advice, often in a professional or expert context.
53. Suggested – To offer a possible solution or idea, often in a helpful or constructive manner.
54. Recommended – To suggest or endorse something, often in a positive or supportive way.
55. Proposed – To suggest or present a plan or idea, often in a formal or official manner.
56. Offered – To present or propose something, often in a generous or helpful way.
57. Mentioned – To bring something to someone’s attention, often in a casual or incidental way.
58. Hinted – To suggest something indirectly or subtly, often in a suggestive or insinuating manner.
59. Implied – To suggest something indirectly or without stating it directly, often through implication or innuendo.
60. Insinuated – To suggest something indirectly or subtly, often with a hint of manipulation or deceit.
61. Questioned – To ask a question or express uncertainty, often in a curious or investigative manner.
62. Interrogated – To question someone formally or aggressively, often in a legal or disciplinary context.
63. Queried – To ask a question or seek clarification, often in a polite or respectful manner.
64. Wondered – To express curiosity or uncertainty, often in a contemplative or thoughtful manner.
65. Pondered – To reflect or think deeply about something, often in a contemplative or introspective manner.
66. Considered – To think about something carefully, often in a thoughtful or deliberate manner.
67. Contemplated – To think deeply or seriously about something, often in a meditative or introspective manner.
68. Reflected – To think back on or review something, often in a thoughtful or introspective manner.
69. Deliberated – To consider or discuss something carefully and thoroughly, often in a formal or structured manner.
70. Opined – To express an opinion or viewpoint, often in a confident or assertive manner.
71. Asserted – To make a strong and confident statement, often with conviction and authority.
72. Insisted – To demand or assert something strongly and firmly, often with persistence or resistance.
73. Affirmed – To confirm or validate something, often with confidence or conviction.
74. Maintained – To uphold or support something, often with consistency or constancy.
75. Argued – To present or support a point of view in a debate or discussion, often with logic or evidence.
76. Debated – To engage in a formal or structured discussion or argument, often with opposing viewpoints.
77. Disputed – To question or challenge something, often with a sense of disagreement or opposition.
78. Contested – To challenge or oppose something, often with a sense of rivalry or competition.
79. Contradicted – To deny or oppose something, often with a sense of conflict or contradiction.
80. Refuted – To prove or disprove something, often with evidence or argumentation.
81. Denied – To reject or refuse something, often with a sense of disbelief or disagreement.
82. Objected – To express opposition or disagreement, often in a formal or official context.
83. Opposed – To express resistance or opposition, often with a sense of conflict or disagreement.
84. Rejected – To refuse or decline something, often with a sense of disapproval or dismissal.
85. Defied – To openly resist or challenge something, often with a sense of defiance or rebellion.
86. Dared – To challenge or provoke someone to do something, often with a sense of daring or bravado.
87. Challenged – To issue a challenge or call someone out, often with a sense of competitiveness or confrontation.
88. Provoked – To incite or provoke someone to do something, often with a sense of irritation or agitation.
89. Threatened – To express a warning or menace, often with a sense of danger or harm.
90. Intimidated – To frighten or threaten someone, often with a sense of coercion or bullying.
91. Boasted – To brag or speak with pride about one’s achievements or abilities.
92. Bragged – To boast or speak with pride about one’s achievements or abilities.
93. Admitted – To acknowledge a fact or truth that was previously unknown or concealed.
94. Confessed – To acknowledge a fault or wrongdoing, often with a sense of guilt or remorse.
95. Avowed – To openly declare something, often a personal belief or opinion, in a public manner.
96. Professed – To openly declare or claim something, often with a sense of profession or vocation.