Words to use instead of SAID

Hence the transitive verb, meaning, to "direct or organise something". BBC (Feb 9, 2018)

When asked who on the stage was making promises to get elected, Klobuchar demurred from naming names. Reuters (Aug 1, 2019)

“CHOOSE truth. Choose Iliad,” entreats the voice-over of a television advertisement after images of President Donald Trump speechifying and footballers feigning injuries flash across the screen. Economist (Jun 21, 2018)

The album opens with Free, a sparse piece of instrumentation in which Iggy intones the phrase "I want to be free". BBC (Sep 6, 2019)

The instructors are part coach and part preacher; they exhort clients not just to do better in class but to be better in life. Washington Post (Aug 9, 2019)

But even in those areas, Trump occasionally vacillates and shuffles toward the center before returning to the siren calls of his hard-right base. Washington Post (Sep 9, 2019)

They grouse that “every additional dollar the government takes from us is a dollar less for this critical process of expanding America’s wealth and job-creating businesses.” Los Angeles Times (Aug 15, 2019)

The Los Angeles Times editorial board opines that President Trump’s new plan to jail migrant families indefinitely — and it is essentially jailing them — isn’t just cruel, it’s unjustifiable. Los Angeles Times (Aug 22, 2019)

In one exchange caught on tape by the New York Police Department, Mr. Weinstein tries to wheedle an actress into his room and explains that he is “used to” groping women. Washington Post (Oct 11, 2017)

He is a compact, lithe man who exudes tremendous physical vitality. The New Yorker (Sep 9, 2019)

His voice quavers a little when he speaks; he’s nervous. Los Angeles Times (May 15, 2019)

While it’s common to hear people extol the benefits of tiny house living — the easy maintenance, inherent sustainability and affordability, land-management advantages and density — one aspect that’s often overlooked is the potential luxury. Seattle Times (Jul 31, 2019)

Censure, he said, would put Trump alongside President Andrew Jackson, who was censured by the Senate in 1834. Washington Post (Jul 16, 2019)

Securing Xi’s assent to abandon the economic model that lifted China from Maoist impoverishment to become the world’s fastest-growing major economy would crown Trump’s confrontational diplomacy with success. Washington Post (Feb 14, 2019)

The author of White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism is confident without crowing, rehearsed yet sensitive to the audience at hand, funny and smirking and cajoling. Slate

He's still refusing to allow a vote, even as Democrats deride him as “Moscow Mitch” and accuse him of inviting Russia to interfere on Republicans' behalf in the 2020 election. Washington Post (Sep 9, 2019)

USA Basketball training camp opened on a diplomatic note, with a joyous Popovich bounding around the gym to offer instructions to players and to chide reporters. Washington Post (Aug 6, 2019)

“The Daily Show is more culturally relevant than ever,” swoons Comedy Central chief Kent Alterman of its weekly average 56m video views online. The Guardian (Jul 13, 2019)

Economists emphasize that efficient use enables growth without pumping up energy consumption. Nature (Sep 15, 2019)

Despite the judge's attempts to persuade her otherwise, Zhang fired her public counsel, choosing to represent herself. BBC (Sep 11, 2019)

He later clarified that to concede that Prescott perhaps did not view things the same way. Washington Post (Sep 15, 2019)

(verb) to impart secrets trustfully; discuss private matters or problems.

(verb) to anger, enrage, exasperate, or vex.

(verb) to show, manifest, or reveal.

(verb) to make plain or clear; render understandable or intelligible.

(verb) to admonish or exhort, as to action or conduct.

(noun) the expression of a wish that misfortune, evil, doom, etc., befall a person, group, etc.

(verb) to offer (oneself or one's services) for some undertaking or purpose.

(verb) to express scorn, anger, indignation, or surprise by a snort.

(verb) to contend in oral disagreement; dispute.

Well written dialogue should never rely on tags such as the ones below, but should convey its own attitude.

“Yes, under duress, he spilled the whole story.” (submitted by Holly T.)

(verb) to grant pardon for or remission of (an offense, debt, etc.); absolve.

(verb) to utter a quick, sharp sentence or speech, especially a command, reproof, retort, etc.

(verb) to speak in a surly or threatening manner suggestive of a dog's snarl.

surmised sympathized

(verb) to take offense; speak indignantly.

(verb) to anger, enrage, exasperate, or vex.

(verb) to differ in opinion; dissent.

(verb) to implore urgently.

(verb) to express disapproval of; scold; reproach.

(verb) to yearn or long; pine.

(verb) to divulge, disclose, or tell.

(verb) to murmur or mutter in discontent; complain sullenly.

“I hate you,” spat Bob in disgust.

(verb) to treat or speak to insolently or with contemptuous rudeness; affront.

(verb) to gloat, boast, or exult.

(verb) to express deep sorrow for; mourn; lament.

The emotion of SURPRISE bleated

(verb) to scold, rebuke, or reprimand.

(verb) to indicate impending evil or mischief.

(verb)to persuade by flattery or promises; wheedle; coax.

mused motioned nodded noted notified observed offered

(verb) to talk idly, irrationally, excessively, or foolishly; chatter or prattle.

(verb) to cry out or speak suddenly and vehemently, as in surprise, strong emotion, or protest.

(verb) to make a wager.

(noun) an indirect, covert, or helpful suggestion; clue:

(verb) to scold, rebuke, or reprimand.

(verb) to utter in a loud deep voice.

(verb) to express approval or admiration of; commend; extol.

(verb) to become vexed (distressed) or worried.

(noun) a statement or action made to refute, oppose, or nullify another statement or action.

(verb) to make insulting, taunting, heckling, or jeering remarks.

(verb) to stop (a person) in the midst of doing or saying something, especially by an interjected remark.

(verb) to proclaim loudly (praise, disapproval, etc.).

(verb) to affirm, assert, or say with solemn earnestness.

pleaded (pled)

(verb) to propose or put forward for consideration.

(verb) to state that (something declared or believed to be true) is not true.

(verb) to make insulting, taunting, heckling, or jeering remarks.

(verb) to murmur or complain angrily; grumble.

“This is the last time I help you,” exasperated Maddison as she sighed heavily. (submitted by Maddy & David)

(verb) to acknowledge; confess.