40 Verbs to Use instead of SPEAK

Verb

Meaning and use

Example sentence

Advise

to tell someone what you think they should do in a particular situation, to give them advice.

They advised children not to eat too much junk food on the excursion.

Affirm

to say clearly that something is true.

Sara affirmed her intention to apply for the job.

Allege

to say that something happened but without proof.

It was alleged that the Minister was receiving bribes while he was in office.

Announce

to officially state something, especially if it is a plan or intention.

George and Tara announced their engagement.

Assert

to say clearly and confidently that something is true.

The accused asserted that he was innocent.

Aver

to say clearly that something is true.

40 Verbs to Use instead of SPEAK

The judge averred that the accused was guilty.

Blab

to talk too much and usually say something that should be confidential.

Someone must have blabbed about Karen’s surprise birthday party because she found out.

Chat

to speak to someone in a friendly, informal manner.

When I saw them, they were sitting at a cafe and chatting.

Claim

to say that something is true, although you cannot prove it.

The man at the customs office claimed that he knew nothing about the parcel in his suitcase.

Command

to order someone, especially a soldier.

The officer commanded the soldiers to retreat.

Communicate

to tell something to someone.

Simon asked me to communicate his best regards to you.

Confess

to admit that what you said or did was wrong.

Edmund confessed that he was using drugs in his youth.

Convey

to make your ideas, thoughts, and feelings known to someone.

40 Verbs to Use instead of SPEAK

Will you please convey my sincere apologies to your mother?

Declare

to announce something clearly and publicly.

A state of emergency has been declared in the country.

Deliver

to give a speech.

The president delivered a fifteen-minute speech.

Discuss

to exchange ideas about a subject with other people.

The team gathered to discuss various issues.

Express

to state a feeling or an idea.

The speaker expressed his gratitude for the money raised for charity.

Explain

to make something easy to understand by giving details.

The teacher explained the formulae by giving many examples of use.

Gab

to speak continuously about unimportant matters.

Celia was gabbing to her friend for an hour.

Gossip

to talk about other people’s private matters which can be unpolite.

They’ve been gossiping about their neighbour’s new girlfriend all morning.

Imply

to suggest something without saying it directly.

Although he didn’t say it, his tone implied that we were wrong.

40 Verbs to Use instead of SPEAK

Inform

to tell some facts to somebody.

Will you please inform us about any change of plan?

Mention

to say something in a few words.

Sally mentioned to the boss that we were late.

Mumble

to speak quietly and not clearly.

When I asked her about her plans for the day she just mumbled something and left.

Murmur

to speak unclearly in a quiet voice.

Doug murmured something in his sleep.

Mutter

to speak quietly and not very understandably, especially if you are upset.

40 Verbs to Use instead of SPEAK

Elsa muttered something I didn’t understand and left the room.

Order

to command someone to do something.

Michael ordered his dog to wait for him outside the shop.

Recite

to say a poem or something else you learned by heart in front of the audience.

Monica recited the poem at the Christmas Eve entertainment.

Repeat

to say something again.

He didn’t hear her so she repeated the question.

Reply

to answer.

When the teacher asked the question, the children replied in one voice.

Report

to give information.

The doctor reported that the patient is recovering very well.

Respond

to give an answer to somebody.

The woman on the plane politely responded to the flight attendant’s question.

Say

to tell something using words.

The lawyer said that the defendant would be released soon.

Shout

to say something in a loud tone of voice.

Will you stop shouting and listen to what I’m telling you?

State

to formally say something.

40 Verbs to Use instead of SPEAK

The accused stated that he had never seen the man before.

Tell

to give information to someone.

Brian told us not to worry.

Touch base

to talk briefly to someone especially if you haven’t seen each other for some time.

When we were on holiday we touched base with some friends from college.

Suggest

to tell your idea of something to other people.

Robert suggested going for a walk after dinner.

Utter

to say something.

Simon hardly uttered a few words during dinner.

Whisper

to talk in a very quiet voice so that others can’t hear you.

She whispered something into his ear.