Dialogue attribution pins a quote to a character. The most common, and best word, to use is said. With said, in the ranked list below, are an additional 491 words to use.
All you need to know is: Said, Asked, Replied, Yelled, Whispered.
With Said being the king of dialogue attribution.
I’m obsessed with verbs. Years ago I loved abusing verbs to carry dialogue.
No longer!
Here are 492 verbs you need in tiered ranks. The three columns are manner, rhetoric, and emotion.
- Manner is how the dialogue sounds.
- Rhetoric indicates the function of the dialogue in conversation.
- Emotion has verbs that describe the character emotions.
God Tier — Use 90% of the time.
| Manner | Rhetoric | Emotion |
|---|---|---|
| Said | Asked |
Great Tier — Use 7% of the time.
| Manner | Rhetoric | Emotion |
|---|---|---|
| Whispered | Replied | Cried |
| Shouted | Added | Jeered |
| Muttered | Began | Blurted |
| Sang | Explained |
Fine Tier — Use 2% of the time.
| Manner | Rhetoric | Emotion |
|---|---|---|
| Yelled | Bossed | Screamed |
| Called | Recited | Joked |
| Puled | Lied | Wailed |
| Slurred | Queried | Bawled |
| Mimicked | Told | Scolded |
| Squealed | Remarked | Vowed |
| Hollered | Argued | Implored |
| Prattled | Interrupted | Cajoled |
| Spluttered | Tried | Begged |
| Mumbled | Requested | Fumed |
| Lisped | Assented | Taunted |
| Mewed | Accepted | Retorted |
| Roared | Read | Ranted |
| Cackled | Quoted | Raged |
| Chanted | Reckoned | Insisted |
| Stammered | Recounted | Sassed |
| Bantered | Reminded | Coaxed |
| Boomed | Opined | Denied |
| Croaked | Coached | Exulted |
| Barked | Expressed | Bewailed |
| Hissed | Guessed | Gushed |
| Huffed | Divulged | Whined (Whinged) |
| Squeaked | Admitted | Sobbed |
| Bit | Confided | Snapped |
| Spat | Disclosed | Blasted |
| Yelped | Dictated | Wept |
| Shrieked | Responded | Upbraided |
| Drawled | Insisted | Pled |
| Howled | Notified | Entreated |
| Growled | Pressed | Sniveled |
| Groaned | Mentioned | Teased |
| Piped | Instructed | Gagged |
| Screeched | Described | Threatened |
| Shrilled | Demurred | Warned |
| Thundered | Puzzled | Scoffed |
| Babbled | Reported | Chided |
| Purred | Surmised | Bickered |
| Hummed | Noted | Boasted |
| Echoed | Rejoined | Laughed |
| Panted | Objected | Urged |
| Heaved | Advised | Cussed |
| Leered | Hinted | Cursed |
| Intoned | Proposed | Challenged |
| Peeped | Recalled | Prayed |
| Quipped | Wheedled | Pleaded |
| Moaned | Toasted | Grumbled |
| Blubbered | Commanded | Tempted |
| Chatted | Inquired | Dared |
| Chattered | Wondered | Swooned |
| Rasped | Informed | Mocked |
| Trilled | Declared | Shot |
| Stuttered | Spoke | Cooed |
| Prompted | Whimpered | |
| Suggested | Cautioned | |
| Claimed | Gibed | |
| Pointed out | Marveled | |
| Reassured | Whooped | |
| Reasoned | Praised | |
| Countered | Rejoiced | |
| Appealed | Ridiculed | |
| Wished | Mused | |
| Went on | Chimed | |
| Continued | Protested | |
| Riposted | Ribbed | |
| Corrected | Burst | |
| Commented | Attested | |
| Clarified | Crowed | |
| Counseled | Flattered | |
| Ridiculed | Professed | |
| Concurred | ||
| Disputed | ||
| Provoked |
(Barely) OK Tier — Use 1% of the time.
| Manner | Rhetoric | Emotion |
|---|---|---|
| Yowled | Questioned | Countermanded |
| Choked | Answered | Apologized |
| Rumbled | Lectured | Confessed |
| Quaked | Observed | Griped |
| Sniffed | Confirmed | Snobbed |
| Spelled (Out) | Allowed | Simpered |
| Enunciated | Bet | Jested |
| Gasped | Remembered | Flirted |
| Murmured | Volunteered | Exaggerated |
| Chewed | Welcomed | Snarled |
| Wheezed | Alleged | Swore |
| Yawned | Tested | Beseeched |
| Lilted | Went on | Exploded |
| Gurgled | Advertised | Ordered |
| Articulated | Addressed | Stormed |
| Exclaimed | Estimated | Denounced |
| Twittered | Exacted | Condemned |
| Uttered | Postulated | Badgered |
| Proclaimed | Intimated | Oogled |
| Bellowed | Importuned | Egged on |
| Sibilated | Broadcasted | Assured |
| Stated | Certified | Keened |
| Joshed | Delivered | Scrutinized |
| Guffawed | Denoted | Marvelled |
| Giggled | Disrupted | Wooed |
| Chortled | Disseminated | Lamented |
| Announced | Distributed | Demanded |
| Breathed | Indicated | Reflected |
| Grunted | Premised | Crapped |
| Sighed | Presented | Trailed |
| Blathered | Presupposed | Empathized |
| Intonated | Greeted | Contemplated |
| Caterwauled | Probed | Contended |
| Quavered | Proffered | Grimaced |
| Pronounced | Promulgated | Smirked |
| Chittered | Publicized | Grinned |
| Coughed | Released | Smiled |
| Clucked | Reprimanded | Nodded |
| Faltered | Searched | Scowled |
| Yakked | Shared | Cringed |
| Yapped | Sought | Cowered |
| Rambled | Specified | Beamed |
| Jabbered | Vouched | Complemented |
| Nattered | Transferred | Congratulated |
| Rattled on | Transmitted | Cheered |
| Harped on | Sanctioned | Approved |
| Nattered on | Ventured | Worried |
| Dribbled | Offered | Vacillated |
| Burbled | Quizzed | Seethed |
| Chirped | Put in | Avowed |
| Chirruped | Thought out loud | Asserted |
| Chuckled | Implied | Mourned |
| Deadpanned | Motioned | Gloated |
| Bleated | Imparted | Tattled |
| Elocuted | Conversed | Fretted |
| Bandied | Contributed | Complained |
| Warbled | Speculated | Encouraged |
| Blustered | Hypothesized | Chastised |
| Sneezed | Maintained | Bragged |
| Snorted | Abnegated | Needled |
| Voiced | Defended | Prodded |
| Mouthed | Affirmed | Retaliated |
| Sputtered | Theorized | Groused |
| Sniffled | Testified | Forgave |
| Chorused | Restated | Bubbled |
| Gawped | Pondered | Shuddered |
| Peppered | Nodded | Accused |
| Effused | Acquiesced | Refused |
| Stressed | Finished | Avered |
| Nagged | Promised | Agonized |
| Imitated | Revealed | Affirmed |
| Snickered | Repeated | Comforted |
| Started | Thanked | |
| Persisted | Reckoned | |
| Agreed | Carped | |
| Disagreed | Shivered | |
| Concluded | Insulted | |
| Decided | Goaded | |
| Interjected | Pestered | |
| Debated | Grieved | |
| Directed | Consoled | |
| Verified | ||
| Reminisced | ||
| Insinuated | ||
| Deliberated | ||
| Related | ||
| Deflected | ||
| Conceded | ||
| Reiterated |
Worst Tier — Don’t use.
| Manner | Rhetoric | Emotion |
|---|---|---|
| Stumbled | Ended | Sneered |
| Resounded | Alliterated | Sulked |
| Rhymed | Thought (Yes, I found this recommended.) | Undertook |
| Trembled | Censured | Shrugged |
| Gulped | Held | Foretold |
| Dripped | Necessitated | Doubted |
| Oozed | Pointed | Tormented |
| Hesitated | Published | Grizzled |
| Monotoned | Required | Remonstrated |
| Vociferated | Requisitioned | Sympathized |
| Emphasized | Communicated | Exasperated |
| Acknowledged | Inclined | |
| Convinced | Disposed | |
| Negated | Spilled | |
| Assessed | ||
| Considered |
Some reflections on using this list
- Overall, Manner is better than Emotion which is better than Rhetoric.
- Less is more. Dialogue attribution should be used when the speaker is unclear, there is a change in dynamic, and there is irony between what is said and how.
- Don’t you dare use a verb that isn’t on this list, the worst tier is bad enough as it is. I don’t want to go about adding more because you want to use the adjective grizzled as a attribution verb. DEAR GOD. If you can’t find a verb that isn’t on this list and someone, anyone recommended you to use it, they are wrong.
- All the verbs I have found in the wild or were recommended on internet lists. The absurdity of many verbs are the fault of click-baity writers. None of the verbs in Worst Tier are bad. They must not be used for dialogue attribution. They are better literally anywhere else. The fact some yahoos recommend those words grinds my gears.
- Within reason, each word could easily fit into two or three columns. This is a principled rank and order. With all creative pursuits you got to do your own thing. Trust your own voice. =))
The reason why such garbage words are recommended online is because finding a new verb for dialogue attribution is a middle school assignment. The point of the assignment is to learn new words. Not write good prose. Other reasons include building a large list to seem smart.
When in doubt use said. Whoever said use something else instead of said should be dead.
That’s all.
Photo Credit: John Evjen
Temple of the Seven Silver Seas 