Here are some words you can use besides "said", but remember: it's okay to use "said". In fact, you usually want to stick with "said". This list is just because it might make your writing stale if you only use "said". It's okay to use some of the fancier terms, but don't just use the fancy ones. Also remember that you shouldn't use "said" synonyms all at once. Either use "said" or "best" synonyms instead of having a bunch of other synonyms at once.
Things like "laughed", "sobbed", "gasped", can technically be used, but I won't add them here. You can't laugh and say something simultaneously.
The best synonyms for "said":
As I said, you'll want to ease up on synonyms for "said". These are just so you're not using "said" all the time. Here are the "synonyms" that are exception, meaning that you can use them much more often than the other synonyms. ESPECIALLY numbers 2 & 3.
1) "Asked": This is totally fine, imo. However, if you have a bunch of people asking questions all at once, then you should probably use "said" and maybe one or two other synonyms instead of using "asked" over and over. But for the most part, I think "asked" is totally okay to use whenever someone has a question.
2) Indicate the speaker: As long as you've indicated who is speaking, you don't even need a word like "said".
For instance: "John shrugged. 'I don't see the big deal.' " Based on the first sentence, we can assume that it is John who spoke.
3) Dual dialogue: If you're using dialogue between two people, then you probably don't need to say "said" for ever single sentence.
"How are you doing?" asked Sarah.
"I'm fine," said John.
"How's your wife?" said Sarah.
"She's fine," said John.
That's not necessary. You've made it clear who's talking since it's every other line.
4) It doesn't matter: While I say this is one of the "best", it should be put to a minimum. This is for the rarer circumstances when it doesn't matter who's speaking. Maybe it's a bunch of random people or the questions being asked are just for effect and of no real importance. In those cases, I think it's fine to avoid "said".
If a word is followed by "[somebody]" it means that when being used it should always be followed by a pronoun or name.
posing a question:
- asked
- inquired
- pressed (this indicates that you are pushing someone to reveal information or to elaborate on an answer, and is especially good to use if the speaker thinks/knows they person they're speaking to is withholding information)
- queried (this is especially used if you are asking a question and are very doubtful)
- questioned
saying loudly:
- barked (this is usually used when something brief or otherwise concise is said; can indicate rudeness or anger)
- bellowed (deep voice)
- boomed
- cheered (not necessarily as loud as the others, but at least louder than your normal voice; indicates happiness)
- cried (I included "cry" on this list is because you can "cry out" something, but not necessarily be crying; same principle applies to a few other terms I've listed)
- exclaimed
- shouted
- yelled
giving an order:
- commanded
- demanded
- dictated
- ordered
- requested (though it might not seem like the same thing, it can still be used)
statement:
- affirmed
- averred
- declared
- dictated
- made known
- remarked
- stated
bring to attention:
- made known
- noted
- observed
- pointed out
- reminded [somebody]
tell the truth about something:
- admitted
- confessed
- declared
- made known
- revealed
complain:
- bleated (implies it's said weakly; this isn't for something trivial)
- carped (usually about something trivial)
- complained
- griped
- grumbled
- moaned (I guess this one's debatable as to whether you can do it at the same time as talking)
- whined
reply:
- countered (generally politely argumentative)
- quipped (indicates wit and/or sass)
- replied
- retorted (generally argumentative)
- shot back (generally argumentative)
adding to the conversation:
- added
- chimed in
- interjected (usually politely interrupting)
- interrupted
- piped in
insult:
- jeered
- gibed
- mocked
- scoffed
- shot back (an insult in response to another insult)
making a suggestion:
- advised
- ideated
- inferred
- offered up
- proposed
- speculated (theorizing something)
- suggested
thinking:
- brooded (sad or grumpy, thinking about bad things)**
- ideated (come up with an idea)**
- mused (absorbed in thought)**
- thought (aloud*)
- voiced*
- wondered**
*can only be used to indicate saying aloud
**can be used to indicate thinking or saying aloud
arguing:
- argued
- objected
- protested
- reasoned (arguing in a calm way)
quietly/timidly:
- bleated
- breathed (something said in a whisper, generally when shocked; usually used when only one word is said)
- mumbled
- muttered (implies annoyance)
- stammered
- stuttered
- whispered
others (only used when the action is being done):
- chanted
- prayed
- preached
- read
others:
- admitted (in the sense of agreeing that something is true)
- agreed
- announced
- apologized / apologised
- assured [somebody]
- begged
- began
- boasted
- bragged
- came [possessive pronoun/"a"] voice (used if a voice is appearing out of nowhere)
- clarified
- conceded
- concluded
- confirmed
- continued
- cooed
- crowed (indicates boasting)
- cursed (usually in the sense of swearing)
- dared [somebody]
- drawled (usually indicating boredom; said in a slow, lazy way)
- echoed
- elaborated
- exhorted
- explained
- flirted
- fibbed
- figured
- greeted
- guessed
- gushed (extreme praising, but can be seen as insincere or patronizing, depending on the circumstances and who's saying it)
- implored
- informed [somebody]
- insisted
- jabbed
- jibed (don't get this confused with "gibed")
- lied
- lilted (said in a sing-song voice)
- marveled
- offered up (making a suggestion, putting forth information)
- pleaded
- professed
- promised
- purred (indicates seductiveness)
- rasped (said in a raspy voice; can indicate immense thirst)
- realized / realised
- reiterated
- relented (used if someone is giving up/in)
- reminded [somebody]
- repeated
- specified
- spat (say something very angrily)
- swore (usually for promising, but also for cursing)
- told [somebody]
- threatened
- trailed off (used for incomplete thoughts, either internal or said aloud)
- tut-tutted (indicates criticism)
- urged
- uttered
- warned
- vowed