You’re staring at the screen. Your protagonist just made a life-altering confession, and you’re about to type those four soul-crushing letters: s-a-y-s. It feels lazy. It feels repetitive. Honestly, it feels like you're back in third grade. You start wondering about whats another word for says because you want your dialogue to pop, to sizzle, or at least to not put your reader to sleep.
Stop.
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Before you go hunting for a thesaurus, we need to talk about why "says" is actually the most powerful word in your arsenal. Most people get this wrong. They think using "exclaimed" or "remonstrated" makes them sound smart. It usually doesn't.
The Great Dialogue Tag Debate
There is a massive misconception in the writing world. Amateur writers think "said" is a boring word that needs to be replaced at every turn. Professional editors at houses like Penguin Random House or HarperCollins often disagree. Why? Because "said" and "says" are invisible.
They are the white space of dialogue.
When a reader sees "he said," their brain skips right over the tag and focuses on the emotion of the actual words being spoken. When you swap it for "he ejaculated" (a favorite of Sherlock Holmes creator Arthur Conan Doyle, much to the chagrin of modern readers), the reader stops. They look at the word. They think about the word. Suddenly, they aren't in your story anymore; they’re analyzing your vocabulary choices.
That being said, there are times when "says" is genuinely too weak. If someone is shouting over a jet engine, "says" doesn't cut it. If someone is whispering a secret that could get them killed, "says" feels like a missed opportunity for tension.
When to Actually Look for a Replacement
You need a replacement when the action of the speech is more important than the content.
Think about a trial. If a witness "admits" something, that carries more legal weight than if they simply "say" it. The nuance matters. According to the AP Stylebook, which journalists live and die by, you should use "said" for almost everything unless there is a specific reason to indicate a different tone or context. They even caution against "claimed" because it implies doubt.
Breaking Down Your Options by Vibe
If you’re dead set on finding whats another word for says, you have to categorize them by the "vibe" of the scene. Don't just pick a word because it sounds fancy.
The Loud Ones
Sometimes you need volume. Shouted, yelled, bellowed, barked, or screamed. Use these sparingly. If everyone is "bellowing," your book sounds like a construction site. "Barked" is great for a drill sergeant or a grumpy boss. It’s short. It’s sharp.
The Quiet Ones
Whispered, murmured, muttered, breathed. These are the heavy hitters of romance and thrillers. "He breathed the words against her ear" hits a lot differently than "He said the words against her ear."
The Grumpy Ones
Snarled, hissed, spat, grumbled. If your character is having a bad day, these are your best friends. "Hissed" is particularly effective for villains, though it's a bit of a cliché if they’re literally named Maleficent.
The Questioning Ones
Inquired, asked, queried, interrogated. Honestly? Just use "asked." It’s the "said" of questions. Nobody ever got fired for using "asked."
The Trap of Adverbs
Don't try to fix "says" by adding an "-ly" word to the end of it.
"He said angrily" is the hallmark of a writer who doesn't trust their own dialogue. If the dialogue is "I hope your house burns down," we already know he's angry. You don't need to tell us.
Stephen King is famous for his hatred of adverbs. In his book On Writing, he basically says they are the path to hell. He’s right. Instead of "He said loudly," try "He yelled." Instead of "He said quietly," try "He whispered." It’s cleaner. It’s faster.
Why Context is Better Than a Thesaurus
The best way to avoid using "says" isn't to find a synonym. It's to use action beats.
Instead of:
"I'm leaving you," she said.
Try:
"I'm leaving you." She slammed her suitcase shut and struggled with the zipper.
We don't need a dialogue tag there. We know who is speaking because she’s the one slamming the suitcase. This makes your writing feel cinematic. You’re showing the reader what’s happening rather than just reporting a transcript of the conversation.
The Danger of "Thesaurus Breath"
Have you ever read a book where every dialogue tag is a different, five-syllable word? It smells like "thesaurus breath." It’s when a writer is trying too hard to prove they have a degree in English Literature.
If you find yourself using words like "remonstrated," "averred," or "opined," take a step back. Ask yourself: "Would a human being ever say this?" If the answer is no, delete it.
Common Scenarios for Word Variation
Let's look at some real-world writing scenarios where you might be hunting for whats another word for says and see what fits best.
- In a Business Meeting: If you’re writing a report, "stated" or "emphasized" works well. It sounds professional. "John stated that the Q4 goals were met." It’s firm.
- In a Legal Context: "Testified," "asserted," or "alleged." These words carry specific baggage. If someone "alleges" something, it means we don't know if it's true yet. That’s a powerful tool for a writer.
- In a Heated Argument: "Retorted" or "countered." These imply a back-and-forth. It’s like a tennis match. One person hits the ball, the other "retorts."
Nuance and Meaning
Words aren't just synonyms; they are flavors.
"Observed" implies a level of detachment.
"Commented" is casual.
"Remarked" feels a bit old-fashioned, maybe even a little snooty.
"Pointed out" is helpful, but can be condescending depending on who is doing the pointing.
If you use "maintained," you’re suggesting that the person has been saying the same thing for a long time, despite people disagreeing with them. "He maintained his innocence" tells a whole story in just four words.
Surprising Data on Dialogue Tags
A study of best-selling novels often shows that "said" and "asked" account for over 90% of dialogue tags. The remaining 10% are a mix of action beats and specific tonal tags like "whispered" or "shouted."
The data suggests that the more successful a writer is, the less they care about finding whats another word for says. They care more about the rhythm of the sentence.
Sometimes, you don't need any tag at all. If two people are talking and it's clear who is who, just let the dialogue stand on its own.
"Where are you going?"
"Out."
"Out where?"
"Just out, okay?"
See? No "says" required. The pace is fast. It feels urgent.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Draft
If you’re currently editing a piece of writing and you feel like you’ve used "says" too much, don't just do a find-and-replace. That’s a recipe for disaster.
- The 80/20 Rule: Keep 80% of your tags as "said" or "says." Let them disappear.
- Delete the Tag: Look at every instance of "says." Can you delete it entirely? If the reader knows who is speaking, let the quote breathe.
- Replace with Action: Instead of a tag, describe a small movement. A shrug, a sigh, a look at a watch. This grounds the reader in the physical space.
- Use Specificity for Impact: Save the "strong" words (bellowed, whimpered, hissed) for the most important moments of the story. If you use them everywhere, they lose their power.
- Read Aloud: This is the ultimate test. If you find yourself tripping over a word like "expostulated," your reader will too.
When you stop worrying about whats another word for says and start focusing on the energy of your scene, your writing will naturally improve. Use the simple words for the simple moments. Save the fancy stuff for when it really counts.
Go back through your current draft and highlight every dialogue tag. If it looks like a rainbow of different verbs, start pruning. Turn those "replied snarkily" into actual snarky dialogue. Turn those "commanded loudly" into "barked." Simplify. Your readers will thank you for it because they’ll be too busy enjoying your story to notice your vocabulary.