Another word for said.

Said tells you someone spoke, and nothing more. Swap it only when how or why it was said matters.

How it sounded

whisperedSaid softly, with breath instead of voice.“Don’t wake the baby,” he whispered from the doorway.
mutteredLow and grumbling, not meant to carry.“Typical,” she muttered as the bus pulled away.
snappedSaid sharply, in sudden anger.“I heard you the first time,” she snapped.

explainedSaid to make something clear.“The road floods every spring,” the farmer explained.
admittedSaid reluctantly, owning up.“I forgot to lock the door,” he admitted.
insistedSaid firmly, against doubt.“I’m fine, really,” she insisted, still limping.

statedFormal; for an official claim.The report stated that the bridge was safe.
notedSaid in passing, as a fact.The mayor noted that crime had fallen this year.
announcedSaid publicly, often for the first time.The company announced it would close two stores.

Keep said for most dialogue; readers skim past it, and that is the point.

Coming to the App StoreAll fifty words

In Gloss, every word comes with its near neighbours and a line on how they differ, so you can pick the exact one. For iPhone, free for three days.