40 Verbs to Use Instead of “Speak” (with Meanings and Examples)
Speak and say are two of the most common verbs in English — and two of the most overused. While they are perfectly correct, using them all the time can make your English sound basic, repetitive, and a little flat. 40 verbs to use instead of speak
Good English (and especially good B2–C1 exam English) is about precision. Sometimes you don’t just speak — you whisper, announce, mutter, declare, confess, or suggest.
Each of these verbs adds colour, emotion, and intention to what you want to say.
In this lesson, you’ll learn 40 useful verbs you can use instead of “speak” or “say”, with clear meanings and natural example sentences to help you use them confidently in both writing and speaking.
40 Verbs to Use Instead of “Speak”
Advise
Meaning: to tell someone what you think they should do.
The teacher advised us to revise before the exam.
The teacher advised us to revise before the exam.
Affirm
Meaning: to say clearly and firmly that something is true.
Sara affirmed her intention to apply for the job.
Sara affirmed her intention to apply for the job.
Allege
Meaning: to say that something happened without proof.
It was alleged that the minister had taken bribes.
It was alleged that the minister had taken bribes.
Announce
Meaning: to officially and publicly state something.
Karen and Tony announced their engagement on social media.
Karen and Tony announced their engagement on social media.
Assert
Meaning: to say something confidently and forcefully.
He asserted that he had done nothing wrong.
He asserted that he had done nothing wrong.
Aver (formal)
Meaning: to state something strongly and formally.
The witness averred that the accused was innocent.
The witness averred that the accused was innocent.
Blab (informal)
Meaning: to reveal a secret by talking too much.
Someone must have blabbed about the surprise party.
Someone must have blabbed about the surprise party.
Chat
Meaning: to talk in a friendly, informal way.
Wesley and his old friend sat in a café chatting for hours.
Wesley and his old friend sat in a café chatting for hours.
Claim
Meaning: to say something is true, although it may not be.
He claimed that he had never seen the document before and had no idea where it came from.
He claimed that he had never seen the document before and had no idea where it came from.
Command
Meaning: to order someone to do something.
The officer commanded the soldiers to retreat when he realised they were badly outnumbered.
The officer commanded the soldiers to retreat when he realised they were badly outnumbered.
Communicate
Meaning: to pass information to someone.
Please communicate my regards to your family.
Please communicate my regards to your family.
Confess
Meaning: to admit something, especially something wrong.
He confessed that he had lied about the money.
He confessed that he had lied about the money.
Convey
Meaning: to make ideas or feelings understood.
She tried to convey how grateful she was for all their help and support.
She tried to convey how grateful she was for all their help and support.
Declare
Meaning: to announce something clearly and officially.
The government declared a state of emergency.
The government declared a state of emergency.
Deliver
Meaning: to give a speech or formal statement.
The president delivered a powerful speech, calling for unity and change.
The president delivered a powerful speech, calling for unity and change.
Discuss
Meaning: to talk about something with others and exchange ideas.
We stayed after class to discuss the project and sort out a few final details.
We stayed after class to discuss the project and sort out a few final details.
Express
Meaning: to show a thought or feeling in words.
He expressed his gratitude to everyone who helped.
He expressed his gratitude to everyone who helped.
Explain
Meaning: to make something clear by giving details.
The teacher explained the rule using simple examples so that everyone could understand it.
The teacher explained the rule using simple examples so that everyone could understand it.
Gab (informal)
Meaning: to talk a lot about unimportant things.
They were gabbing about celebrities all evening, completely absorbed in the conversation.
They were gabbing about celebrities all evening, completely absorbed in the conversation.
Gossip
Meaning: to talk about other people’s private lives (often unkindly).
They spent the whole lunch break gossiping about colleagues.
They spent the whole lunch break gossiping about colleagues.
Imply
Meaning: to suggest something without saying it directly.
His tone implied that he was not happy, and everyone in the room could sense it.
His tone implied that he was not happy, and everyone in the room could sense it.
Inform
Meaning: to give someone information, especially formally.
Please inform us of any changes to the schedule.
Please inform us of any changes to the schedule.
Mention
Meaning: to say something briefly.
She mentioned that she might be late.
She mentioned that she might be late.
Mumble
Meaning: to speak quietly and unclearly.
He mumbled something and walked away.
He mumbled something and walked away.
Murmur
Meaning: to speak very quietly and softly.
She murmured a few words and fell asleep.
She murmured a few words and fell asleep.
Mutter
Meaning: to speak quietly in an annoyed or unhappy way.
Jake muttered something under his breath and walked away without looking back.
Jake muttered something under his breath and walked away without looking back.
Order
Meaning: to tell someone to do something in a firm way.
The manager ordered John to leave immediately after hearing what had happened.
The manager ordered John to leave immediately after hearing what had happened.
Recite
Meaning: to say something you have learned by heart.
Sara recited a poem at the school event, her voice shaking slightly at first.
Sara recited a poem at the school event, her voice shaking slightly at first.
Repeat
Meaning: to say something again.
Could you repeat that, please?
Could you repeat that, please?
Reply
Meaning: to answer.
Unfortunately, nobody replied to my email.
Unfortunately, nobody replied to my email.
Report
Meaning: to give official information.
At last, the doctor reported that the patient was improving.
At last, the doctor reported that the patient was improving.
Respond
Meaning: to answer or react to something.
Nicholas didn’t respond to his fiancée’s message.
Nicholas didn’t respond to his fiancée’s message.
Say
Meaning: to express something using words.
Mira said she would call later but she never did.
Mira said she would call later but she never did.
Shout
Meaning: to speak very loudly.
Stop shouting — I can hear you!
Stop shouting — I can hear you!
State
Meaning: to say something clearly and formally.
He stated that he was not guilty.
He stated that he was not guilty.
Tell
Meaning: to give information to someone.
She told me the truth at last.
She told me the truth at last.
Touch base (informal)
Meaning: to talk briefly to someone to stay in contact.
Let’s touch base next week.
Let’s touch base next week.
Suggest
Meaning: to put forward an idea.
He suggested going for a walk after dinner.
He suggested going for a walk after dinner.
Utter
Meaning: to say something (often used with negatives).
He didn’t utter a single word.
He didn’t utter a single word.
Whisper
Meaning: to speak very quietly so others can’t hear.
She whispered the secret in his ear.
She whispered the secret in his ear.
If you want to sound more natural, more precise, and more advanced in English, stop relying only on say and speak. Start choosing verbs that show how something is said, why it is said, and what attitude the speaker has.
This skill is especially useful for Cambridge B2 First & C1 Advanced writing, storytelling and essays, more expressive speaking and more elegant, native-like English.
Small word changes — big style upgrade.
If you really want to learn English but don’t know how to do it and where to start, don’t hesitate to contact us. Book an online English lesson with one of our certified and experienced English teachers and take a test and consultation! Tap the banner to learn more!
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