100 colourful words to use instead of ‘said’ sorted by the speaker’s emotion

These ‘said’ synonyms will improve your writing, give it a professional touch, and also add to your English vocabulary!

These 100 synonyms for ‘said’ should help you build your English vocabulary and write better!

By India Today Web Desk: If you are a student or in a writing-based career, you must be sick of using ‘said’ over and over again in your notes, research papers, e-mails or articles.

Sure, ‘said’ is a simple and easy word, and sometimes it’s best not to complicate your language too much by using heavy words. But not all alternative words for said’ are complicated.

Also, we should note the fact that ‘said’ is emotion-neutral. The word ‘said’ doesn’t describe if the speaker is angry, sad, happy or frustrated. Synonyms of ‘said’ can often do a much better job when you are writing a feature article or story especially something with a lot of dialogues and quotes.

Those who are studying literature might also find this list useful.

Here are 100 words to use instead of ‘said’ sorted according to emotion:

‘Said’ synonyms to show happiness/agreement

• admitted
• advised
• agreed
• assured
• avowed
• bragged
• began
• chatted
• cheered
• convinced
• crowed
• exclaimed
• gushed
• instructed
• joked
• promised
• snickered
• suggested
• chortled

‘Said’ synonyms to show sadness/dissatisfaction

• bawled
• confessed
• cried
• croaked
• denied
• fretted
• gasped
• groaned
• gurgled
• moaned
• mumbled
• objected
• pleaded
• protested
• sniffled
• sobbed
• squeaked
• stammered
• uttered
• vowed
• wailed
• wept
• whispered
• worried

‘Said’ synonyms to show anger/disagreement/loudness

• argued
• complained
• barked
• bellowed
• boasted
• boomed
• coughed
• demanded
• griped
• growled
• hissed
• insisted
• interrupted
• jeered
• ranted
• raved
• roared
• sassed
• scolded
• screamed
• shouted
• shrieked
• snapped
• stormed
• taunted
• yelled
• sneered
• grumbled

‘Said’ synonyms to show fear/uncertainty

• asked
• babbled
• bargained
• blurted
• clicked
• gulped
• grunted
• lied
• murmured
• mused
• muttered
• nagged
• quavered
• shuddered
• sneezed
• snorted
• sputtered
• squealed
• wondered

‘Said’ synonyms for emotionless contexts

• stated
• replied
• reported
• mentioned
• noted
• observed
• commented
• added
• explained
• revealed

Hope these 100 synonyms of said add to your vocabulary and helps you write and speak better in English.

For more such articles on common English mistakes and vocabulary-building tips, follow our section Grammar and Vocabulary.