I know I've written a blog on the alternate words for said before, but just had to post it again. Also, I found some great alternates for 'good and bad,' as well as tone vocabulary (positive and negative). Hope this helps you as it did me!
Alternatives to “Said”:
(Note: I'm sorry I was unable to format the following into columns for easier reading)
added corrected insisted ranted
wept admitted cried laughed
reminded whispered answered
croaked lied replied wondered
argued crowed mentioned requested
yelled asked dared murmured
roared babbled decided muttered
sassed bawled declared named
sighed bet demanded nodded
smiled blurted denied nudged
spoke bragged ended offered
smirked bugged exclaimed ordered
snickered called explained panted
stammered cautioned expressed pleaded
stated chatted fretted praised
stuttered cheered gasped prayed
suggested chuckled greeted promised
tempted coaxed hinted questioned
told confessed informed quoted wailed
Less Common Alternatives to “Said”
admonished droned projected vocalized affirmed enjoined quibbled volunteered alleged enumerated quipped assented espoused quizzed bantered estimated rebuked bemoaned evinced recited berated exhorted rejoiced broached indicated renounced cajoled intoned retorted carped jeered revealed challenged jested scowled cited lamented simpered claimed leered speculated communicated mocked sputtered conceded needled squelched demurred opined stipulated denounced outlined stormed disclosed presented theorized drawled proffered uttered
Alternatives to “Good” and “Bad”
Words to use in place of “Good”:
excellent valuable benefit masterpiece pride gem precious jewel brilliant treasure
model prince angel beneficial profit
improve asset divine heavenly useful advantageous elite edifying genuine moderate
tiptop virtuous favorable dandy well behaved
perfect fresh
Words to use in place of “Bad”:
hurtful ill evil pest plague thorn abuse oppression persecution outrage atrocity torture mischief rotten vicious
misbehave trespass deviate decayed decomposed putrid tainted burden imperfect wicked reprehensible deteriorated corrosive
Tone Vocabulary
Samples:
Positive Tone/Attitude Words
lighthearted, hopeful, exuberant, enthusiastic, confident, cheery, optimistic, loving
amused, elated, sympathetic, compassionate
complimentary, passionate, proud, sunny
bright, shining, brilliant, intelligent
whimsical, bantering, wit
Negative Tone/Attitude Words
Anger:
angry, disgusted, outraged, furious
wrathful, bitter, irritated, indignant
threatening, accusing, condemnatory, inflammatory
Humor/irony/sarcasm:
scornful, disdainful, contemptuous, sarcastic
cynical, condescending, critical, facetious, patronizing, satiric, sardonic, mock-heroic, irreverent, mock-serious, ironic, flippant
Sorrow/fear/worry:
somber, elegiac, melancholic, sad, disturbed, mournful, solemn, serious, apprehensive, concerned, fearful, despairing, gloomy, sober, foreboding, hopeless, staid, resigned
Neutral Tone/Attitude Words
formal objective incredulous nostalgic ceremonial candid shocked reminiscent restrained clinical baffled sentimental objective disbelieving questioning urgent instructive matter-of-fact admonitory learned factual didactic informative authoritative
Resource:
Thanks for this list, Lori! Trust you are doing well.
ReplyDelete-Mel
hi Lori :)
ReplyDeleteon the "said" thing. I think it's worth noting that the alternatives to "said" have to be sprinkled lightly, like seasoning. Too many, and they just plain stick out.
I've had to work at my obsession with using pretty words, remembering- most of the time, a plain "said" disappears instead of sticking out. And, if you use an alternative, use it precisely.
I don't say this because I master at it, but because I groan in my laboring at it.
--said Lynn, Ha!