This blog will also be on vocabulary choices! This time, I’ll be going over some synonyms and antonyms for the word ‘say’ (which is encountered a lot by us writers). I’ll be giving tips on when to use the word as well, and their differences!
(Full credits to Vocabulary.com Dictionary)
──── Definition of ‘Say’ ────
(Everyone probably knows this but :p)
- SAY
- Pronunciation: /seɪ/ (US) | /seɪ/ (UK)
- Definition: Utter aloud
- Part of Speech: Verb
- Sentence: She said ‘Hello’ to everyone in the office
──── Synonyms ────
- ARTICULATE
- Pronunciation: /ɑrˈtɪkjulet/ (US) | none (UK)
- Definition: Express or state clearly
- Part of Speech: Verb
- Sentence: Or when, even as just now I’ve tried to articulate exactly what I felt to be the truth (from Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison)
- STATE
- Pronunciation: /steɪt/ (US) | /steɪt/ (UK)
- Definition: Express in words
- Part of Speech: Verb
- Sentence: When unemployment causes poverty, we knowhow to state the problem—typically, “the economy isn’t growing fast enough”—and we know what the traditional liberal solution is—“full employment.” from (Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America by Barbara Ehrenreich)
- UTTER
- Pronunciation: /ˈʌdər/ (US) | /ˈʌtə/ (UK)
- Definition: Articulate; either verbally or with a cry, shout, or noise
- Part of Speech: Verb
- Sentence: He uttered a curse
- REMARK
- Pronunciation: /rɪˈmɑrk/ (US) | /rəˈmɑk/ (UK)
- Definition: Make or write a comment on
- Part of Speech: Verb
- Sentence: “This here’s good soap,” she remarked as she went at it with the knife (from A Long Way from Chicago by Richard Peck)
- ANNOUNCE
- Pronunciation: /əˈnaʊns/ (US) | /əˈnaʊns/ (UK)
- Definition: Make known; make an announcement
- Part of Speech: Verb
- Sentence: Later that day, on the other side of First Street, the Supreme Court announced a 6–3 ruling in favor of the New York Times and the Washington Post (Most Dangerous: Daniel Ellsberg and the Secret History of the Vietnam War by Steve Sheinkin)
- DECLARE
- Pronunciation: /dɪˈklɛr/ (US) | /dɪˈklɛ/ (UK)
- Definition: State emphatically and authoritatively
- Part of Speech: Verb
- Sentence: He declared that he needed more money to carry out the task he was charged with
- NOTE
- Pronunciation: /noʊt/ (US) | /nəʊt/ (UK)
- Definition: Make mention of
- Part of Speech: Verb
- Sentence: They noted that it was a fine day to go sailing
- COMMENT
- Pronunciation: /ˌkɑˈmɛnt/ (US) | /ˈkɒmɛnt/ (UK)
- Definition: Make or write a comment on
- Part of Speech: Verb
- Sentence: Mama Saedi’s delicate features, stylish short hair, youthful skin, and radiant smile were regularly commented upon (Americanized by Sara Saedi)
- WHISPER
- Pronunciation: /ˈwɪspər/ (US) | /ˈwɪspə/ (UK)
- Definition: Speak softly; in a low voice
- Part of Speech: Verb
- Sentence: There will be no one left to help me move west—” my father whispered, and it seemed that a great load was placed on his shoulders (Bless Me, Ultima by Rudolfo Anaya)
- CHIRP
- Pronunciation: /tʃərp/ (US) | /tʃəp/ (UK)
- Definition: Make high-pitched sounds
- Part of Speech: Verb
- Sentence: The birds were chirping in the bushes
- SHOUT
- Pronunciation: /ʃaʊt/ (US) | /ʃaʊt/ (UK)
- Definition: Utter in a loud voice; talk in a loud voice (usually denoting characteristic manner of speaking)
- Part of Speech: Verb
- Sentence: My grandmother is hard of hearing–you’ll have to shout
- HOWL
- Pronunciation: /haʊl/ (US) | /haʊl/ (UK)
- Definition: Emit long loud cries
- Part of Speech: Verb
- Sentence: Howl with sorrow
- YOWL
- Pronunciation: /jaʊl/ (US) | none (UK)
- Definition: Cry loudly, as of animals
- Part of Speech: Verb
- Sentence: He yowled and spit, but it didn’t do him any good (from Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls)
- GASP
- Pronunciation: /gæsp/ (US) | /gɑsp/ (UK)
- Definition: Inhale sharply and suddenly, as with shock
- Part of Speech: Verb
- Sentence: “The emperor is here!” the servant girl gasped (from When the Sea Turned to Silver by Grace Lin)
- MURMUR
- Pronunciation: /ˈmʌrmər/ (US) | /ˈmʌmə/ (UK)
- Definition: Speak softly or indistinctly
- Part of Speech: Verb
- Sentence: She murmured softly to the baby in her arms
- MUTTER
- Pronunciation: /ˈmʌdər/ (US) | /ˈmʌtə/ (UK)
- Definition: Talk indistinctly; usually in a low voice
- Part of Speech: Verb
- Sentence: “Would have been better if I didn’t throw the postcards away first,” I mutter (from South of Somewhere by Kalena Miller)
- GRUMBLE
- Pronunciation: /ˈgrʌmbəl/ (US) | /ˈgrʌmbəl/ (UK)
- Definition: Make complaining remarks or noises under one’s breath
- Part of Speech: Verb
- Sentence: She grumbles when she feels overworked
- SNARL
- Pronunciation: /snɑrl/ (US) | /snɑl/ (UK)
- Definition: Utter in an angry, sharp, or abrupt tone
- Part of Speech: Verb
- Sentence: The guard snarled at us
- SNAP
- Pronunciation: /snæp/ (US) | /snæp/ (UK)
- Definition: Make a sharp sound
- Part of Speech: Verb
- Sentence: His fingers snapped
- DRAWL
- Pronunciation: /drɔl/ (US) | none (UK)
- Definition: Lengthen and slow down or draw out
- Part of Speech: Verb
- Sentence: Drawl one’s vowels
- EXCLAIM
- Pronunciation: /ɛksˈkleɪm/ (US) | /ɛkˈskleɪm/ (UK)
- Definition: Utter aloud; often with surprise, horror, or joy
- Part of Speech: Verb
- Sentence: “I won!” he exclaimed
- RASP
- Pronunciation: /ræsp/ (US) | /ræsp/ (UK)
- Definition: Utter in a grating voice
- Part of Speech: Verb
- Sentence: “Didn’t any of you people hear me?” he rasped (from Hoot by Carl Hiaasen)
- CROAK
- Pronunciation: /kroʊk/ (US) | /krəʊk/ (UK)
- Definition: Utter a hoarse sound, like a raven
- Part of Speech: Verb
- Sentence: Hours seemed to pass before I finally croaked, “Yes.” (from Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli)
- HOLLER
- Pronunciation: /ˈhɑlər/ (US) | /ˈhɒlə/ (UK)
- Definition: Shout out
- Part of Speech: Verb
- Sentence: He hollered out to surrender our weapons
- ROAR
- Pronunciation: /rɔər/ (US) | /rɔ/ (UK)
- Definition: Make a loud noise, as of an animal
- Part of Speech: Verb
- Sentence: Roz was about to unload a whole armful of annoying pinecones when a distant roar echoed through the forest (from The Wild Robot by Peter Brown)
- BELLOW
- Pronunciation: /ˈbɛloʊ/ (US) | /ˈbɛləʊ/ (UK)
- Definition: Make a loud noise, as of an animal
- Part of Speech: Verb
- Sentence: The bull bellowed
- YELL
- Pronunciation: /jɛl/ (US) | /jɛl/ (UK)
- Definition: Utter a sudden loud cry
- Part of Speech: Verb
- Sentence: I yelled to her from the window but she couldn’t hear me
- SCREAM
- Pronunciation: /skrim/ (US) | /skrim/ (UK)
- Definition: Make a loud, piercing sound
- Part of Speech: Verb
- Sentence: Fighter planes are screaming through the skies
- SCREECH
- Pronunciation: /skritʃ/ (US) | /skritʃ/ (UK)
- Definition: Utter a harsh abrupt scream
- Part of Speech: Verb
- Sentence: Giant eagles circled Jason, screeching urgently, as if looking for orders (from Blood of Olympus by Rick Riordan)
──── Antonyms────
- STIFLE
- Pronunciation: /ˈstaɪfəl/ (US) | /ˈstaɪfəl/ (UK)
- Definition: Smother or suppress
- Part of Speech: Verb
- Sentence: Stifle your curiosity
- CHOKE
- Pronunciation: /tʃoʊk/ (US) | /tʃəʊk/ (UK)
- Definition: Struggle for breath; have insufficient oxygen intake
- Part of Speech: Verb
- Sentence: He hooted, gasped, sobbed, began to choke with laughter (from Grendel by John Gardner)
- MUFFLE
- Pronunciation: /ˈmʌfəl/ (US) | /ˈmʌfəl/ (UK)
- Definition: Deaden (a sound or noise), especially by wrapping
- Part of Speech: Verb
- Sentence: In a short time the siege tower, its wheels muffled with sacking, stood completed, ready for use (from Redwall by Brian Jacques)
- STRANGLE
- Pronunciation: /ˈstræŋgəl/ (US) | /ˈstreɪngəl/ (UK)
- Definition: Struggle for breath; have insufficient oxygen intake
- Part of Speech: Verb
- Sentence: “Why?” she asked, her voice sounding strangled to her own ears (from Far from the Tree by Robin Benway)
- SMOTHER
- Pronunciation: /ˈsmʌðər/ (US) | /ˈsmʌðə/ (UK)
- Definition: Deprive of oxygen and prevent from breathing
- Part of Speech: Verb
- Sentence: Othello smothered Desdemona with a pillow
──── Tips────
When determining a word you’re choosing, you need to consider the context! Here are just some examples:
- If you want a neutral tone, choose said, articulate, state, utter, remark, note, or comment
- She said she would return tomorrow
- He articulated his concerns clearly
- State your opinion calmly
- He uttered a quiet apology
- She remarked that the room was cold
- He noted the change in schedule
- She commented on the results
- If you want a softer tone, choose whisper, gasp, murmur
- She whispered the code
- Someone gasped in fright
- The mum murmured a lullaby
- If you want a lively tone :D, choose chirp
- The birds chirped amongst the trees
- If you want a feeble tone, choose rasp or croak
- The old man rasped
- The frog croaked
- If you want a grumpy tone :p, choose grumble or mutter
- He grumbled a curse under his breath
- The cashier muttered something inaudible
- If you want a negative tone, choose basically everything else lol (some examples!!)
- The screech split the sky
- She drawled, her arms crossed over her arms
- He snarled
That’s all for this blog :’D I hope this helped you in some way, and thank you so much for reading ^^
Have a wonderful day/night, wherever you are ! ✨
2/23/26 ♡
Sources:
Works Cited
“Say.” Vocabulary.com Dictionary, Vocabulary.com, https://www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/say. Accessed 23 February 2026.
“Articulate.” Vocabulary.com Dictionary, Vocabulary.com, https://www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/articulate. Accessed 23 February 2026.
“State.” Vocabulary.com Dictionary, Vocabulary.com, https://www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/state. Accessed 23 February 2026
“Utter.” Vocabulary.com Dictionary, Vocabulary.com, https://www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/utter. Accessed 23 February 2026.
“Remark.” Vocabulary.com Dictionary, Vocabulary.com, https://www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/remark. Accessed 23 February 2026.
“Announce.” Vocabulary.com Dictionary, Vocabulary.com, https://www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/announce. Accessed 23 February 2026.
“Declare.” Vocabulary.com Dictionary, Vocabulary.com, https://www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/declare. Accessed 23 February 2026.
“Note.” Vocabulary.com Dictionary, Vocabulary.com, https://www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/note. Accessed 23 February 2026.
“Comment.” Vocabulary.com Dictionary, Vocabulary.com, https://www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/comment. Accessed 23 February 2026.
“Whisper.” Vocabulary.com Dictionary, Vocabulary.com, https://www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/whisper. Accessed 23 February 2026.
“Chirp.” Vocabulary.com Dictionary, Vocabulary.com, https://www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/chirp. Accessed 23 February 2026.
“Shout.” Vocabulary.com Dictionary, Vocabulary.com, https://www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/shout. Accessed 23 February 2026.
“Howl.” Vocabulary.com Dictionary, Vocabulary.com, https://www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/howl. Accessed 23 February 2026.
“Yowl.” Vocabulary.com Dictionary, Vocabulary.com, https://www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/yowl. Accessed 23 February 2026.
“Gasp.” Vocabulary.com Dictionary, Vocabulary.com, https://www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/gasp. Accessed 23 February 2026.
“Murmur.” Vocabulary.com Dictionary, Vocabulary.com, https://www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/murmur. Accessed 23 February 2026.
“Mutter.” Vocabulary.com Dictionary, Vocabulary.com, https://www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/mutter. Accessed 23 February 2026.
“Grumble.” Vocabulary.com Dictionary, Vocabulary.com, https://www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/grumble. Accessed 23 February 2026.
“Snarl.” Vocabulary.com Dictionary, Vocabulary.com, https://www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/snarl. Accessed 23 February 2026.
“Snap.” Vocabulary.com Dictionary, Vocabulary.com, https://www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/snap. Accessed 23 February 2026.
“Drawl.” Vocabulary.com Dictionary, Vocabulary.com, https://www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/drawl. Accessed 23 February 2026.
“Exclaim.” Vocabulary.com Dictionary, Vocabulary.com, https://www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/exclaim. Accessed 23 February 2026.
“Rasp.” Vocabulary.com Dictionary, Vocabulary.com, https://www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/rasp. Accessed 23 February 2026.
“Croak.” Vocabulary.com Dictionary, Vocabulary.com, https://www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/croak. Accessed 23 February 2026.
“Holler.” Vocabulary.com Dictionary, Vocabulary.com, https://www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/holler. Accessed 23 February 2026.
“Roar.” Vocabulary.com Dictionary, Vocabulary.com, https://www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/roar. Accessed 23 February 2026.
“Bellow.” Vocabulary.com Dictionary, Vocabulary.com, https://www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/bellow. Accessed 23 February 2026.
“Yell.” Vocabulary.com Dictionary, Vocabulary.com, https://www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/yell. Accessed 23 February 2026.
“Scream.” Vocabulary.com Dictionary, Vocabulary.com, https://www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/scream. Accessed 23 February 2026.
“Screech.” Vocabulary.com Dictionary, Vocabulary.com, https://www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/screech. Accessed 23 February 2026.
“Stifle.” Vocabulary.com Dictionary, Vocabulary.com, https://www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/stifle. Accessed 23 February 2026.
“Choke.” Vocabulary.com Dictionary, Vocabulary.com, https://www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/choke. Accessed 23 February 2026.
“Muffle.” Vocabulary.com Dictionary, Vocabulary.com, https://www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/muffle. Accessed 23 February 2026.
“Strangle.” Vocabulary.com Dictionary, Vocabulary.com, https://www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/strangle. Accessed 23 February 2026.
“Smother.” Vocabulary.com Dictionary, Vocabulary.com, https://www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/smother. Accessed 23 February 2026.
