synonyms for said in essay

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General Education

One of the words that comes up most commonly in various types of writing, from fiction to academic writing, is the word “said.” Any time a writer is referencing the words or thoughts expressed by another person, whether that be thoughts expressed verbally or in writing, an appropriate way to introduce--or attribute--that person’s thoughts is with the phrase “said.” 

But if you’re incorporating a lot of quotations in your writing, you might find yourself repeating  the word “said” a lot. Repeating the same phrase in a piece of writing can start to feel monotonous, which is why incorporating synonyms or an oft-used word or phrase can make your writing more interesting and accurate. But here’s some good news: there are tons of other words for “said” out there for you to use! 

To help you build a repertoire of words to replace “said,” we’re going to do the following in this article: 

• Explain the importance of using word variety and avoiding repetition of the same word in your writing
• Explain when to use “said” and when not to use “said” 
• Provide a comprehensive list of alternative words for “said,” organized into categories based on emotion and intention

Ready to check out some synonyms for “said”? Then let’s get going!

Other Words for Said 

To give you the most comprehensive and easy-to-navigate list, we’ve organized our list into two main categories: first, we’re including several lists of other words for “said” by emotion , and second, we’re including several lists of different words for “said” by intention or action . You can decide what meaning you’re trying to express in your writing, and use our lists accordingly!

Happy Words to Use Instead of “Said”

We’re going to kick off our list by giving you a lot of other words for “said” by emotion, starting with synonyms for “said” that convey a happy, joyful, or positive tone. 

Sad Words to Use Instead of “Said” 

Sadness is a common emotion expressed in writing--let’s look at a few synonyms for “said” that convey sadness. 

Angry Words to Replace “Said”

There are a ton of synonyms for “said” that express anger, and we’ve included several of them for you here. 

Different Words for “Said” That Express Shock or Surprise

When you want to communicate a tone of shock or surprise in your writing, try using these synonyms for “said”! 

Other Words for “Said” That Express Fear

The last emotion it might be helpful to be able to express accurately and vividly in your writing is fear. Here’s a list of synonyms for “said” that you can use to demonstrate a feeling of fear. 

Words to Replace “Said” That Are Expository

If you’re working with a quote in which the speaker is clarifying information or explaining something, you can try out these words instead of “said”!

Other Words for “Said” That Are Argumentative

When you incorporate quotes or dialogue that make an argument, use these synonyms for “said” in your attributions.

Words to Use Instead of “Said” That Are Critical 

If a speaker in a quote or piece of dialogue is forming a critique, incorporate one of these different words for “said” in your attribution.

Words to Use Instead of “Said” That Are Implicative

Try using these alternative words for “said” that imply meaning. 

Words to Replace “Said” That Seek Information

Sometimes you need to include an attribution that shows a speaker is searching for information. These synonyms for “said” can help you establish a tone of inquisitiveness!

Words to Replace “Said” That Reveal Information

Finally, if you need a word other than “said” that reveals information, try out the options in the list below. 

When to Use Different Words for “Said” in Your Writing...And When Not To

In most cases, deciding when to use words other than “said” in your writing is up to your discretion. But there are actually some situations when it’s correct to use “said” exclusively to attribute a piece of dialogue or a quote in your writing . This depends on the type of writing, so we’re going to break down the situations when you should definitely use “said” here!

The first situation where you can expect to see writers exclusively using “said” is in any type of writing that relies on AP Style . “AP” stands for “Associated Press,” and this set of style guidelines is the standard for journalistic writing. This includes writing for newspapers, magazines, and public relations in the United States. AP Style provides a lot of rules about grammar, spelling, punctuation, and language use, and using “said” for quote attribution is one of those rules.

Impartiality and objectivity are two values that are extremely important in journalistic writing. Unlike many synonyms for “said,” which reveal a speaker’s feelings, attitude, or intentions, “said” doesn’t try to interpret the feelings, attitude, or intentions of the speaker. “Said” just states factual information: the words in the quote were spoken by a person or group of people . Using “said” allows the journalist to remain impartial and objective about the information, and it also lets readers interpret the meaning of quoted material on their own. 

Technical Writing

While not exactly a rule, using “said” is an unspoken expectation for quote attribution in technical writing. Technical writing is a style of writing used in business environments and some scientific fields, like engineering . It’s important for this style of writing to be clear, specific, and, in most cases, concise. In fact, readers of technical writing appreciate a writer’s ability to communicate directly and plainly by using short, direct words. That’s why “said” is the best choice for introducing quotes or paraphrases in technical writing: it’s clear, specific, and concise. 

Creative Writing 

Creative writing is a third situation that might require you to think strategically about when to use “said.” In creative writing--like fiction, for instance--when and how often to use “said” is pretty much up for debate. There are a lot of synonyms for “said” that you can use to convey the emotions or intentions of a character in dialogue, but you don’t necessarily have to use some flowery synonym for “said” every time you include a piece of dialogue in creative writing. In fact, sometimes it’s okay to strategically omit attributions altogether. 

Here’s one example of a way to present dialogue in creative writing that doesn’t overuse attributions: 

“I suppose I didn’t see the point.” Paige shook her head. “It’s not like you would’ve let me go if I’d told you ahead of time.” 

“That’s really selfish, Paige.” 

Even without attributions for every piece of dialogue in the example above, you can still get an idea of how the characters feel and what their intentions are through the dialogue beats (“She crossed her arms angrily,” and, “Paige shook her head”) . Alternatively, dialogue attributions in creative writing are another place where word variety is important. Your attributions are a great way for you to add emotion and imagery to your work. That means sometimes you might simply use “said,” sometimes you might use a more expressive synonym for “said,” and other times you might forego attributions altogether.

Academic Writing

One final writing situation where you’ll find yourself needing to make decisions about when to use “said” is academic, research-based writing. In academic writing, it’s important to be clear about who you are quoting and to provide adequate context for the quote you include. For example, if the scholar you’re quoting is making an argument in the quote you include, it would be more accurate to say, “Dr. Garcia argued” or “Dr. Garcia claimed,” instead of “Dr. Garcia said .” Using a quote attribution that gives your reader a clearer sense of the speaker or writer’s purpose and tone. 

3 Reasons Why Word Variety Is Important in Writing

Word variety is important to any type of writing for three main reasons: using a variety of words can make your writing more engaging, more accurate, and more expressive .

First, using a variety of words can make your writing more engaging and interesting for the people who are reading it. In some types of writing, like poetry , repetition is used as a strategic stylistic device. In lots of cases, though, writers repeat the same word because they don’t know its synonyms. After a while, readers might feel a bit exhausted by repetitiveness in a piece of writing. That’s one reason why knowing and using synonyms for commonly repeated words is so important!

Second, word variety can make your writing more accurate. For example, while “said” is always going to accurately describe a piece of dialogue or a quote from an outside source, there are words to use instead of “said” that can reveal the intention behind dialogue or the information conveyed in a quote . 

Let’s say you incorporate a quote where the author is disagreeing with a point made by a scholar. Sure, you could introduce that quote with, “Dr. Smith said.” But you could be more accurate by introducing the quote with a word that indicates that the quote is going to express disagreement, like, “Dr. Smith countered ” or “Dr. Smith responded .” 

Finally, your writing is expressive and vivid when you avoid repetition . When your word choice reflects the emotions or tone expressed by a quote or piece of dialogue that you include in your writing, your readers can get a better sense of your intended meaning. Using synonyms for “said” to create tone and imagery in your writing can help readers better understand your position and make them more willing to buy into your ideas. 

What’s Next? 

If you’re studying for the verbal portion of your SAT or ACT, we’ve got you covered. Here are our expert guides to the verbal portions of the SAT and ACT , and we even have tips and tricks to help you tackle the essay sections ! These are just a few of the tons (and tons!) of resources we have, so be sure to check out our blog for more information.

This cheat sheet for ways to say “said” can be really helpful if you’re starting to write your college admissions essays . Learn how to start your essay off perfectly , and make sure you know the biggest mistakes you should avoid , too.

If you’re using this guide to help you write creatively, you might be a great fit for a creative writing degree ! Here’s a guide to the best creative writing colleges and programs in the United States. 

Ashley Sufflé Robinson has a Ph.D. in 19th Century English Literature. As a content writer for PrepScholar, Ashley is passionate about giving college-bound students the in-depth information they need to get into the school of their dreams.

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10 Other Words for “Said” in an Essay

Including quotes in your essays shows that you’re sourcing your work. It’s, therefore, relatively easy to repeatedly write “said” when quoting things from other people.

You should find more interesting ways to quote things to spice up your writing.

This article has gathered some alternatives to show you more words to replace “said” in an essay.

Keep reading to learn other ways to say “said” in an essay. We’ve also provided examples for each to help you understand them better.

1. Explained

Naturally, using “said” before quoting someone is overdone and boring. But there are plenty of more exciting ways to talk about things people have mentioned before.

Let’s start with “explained.” You can use “explained” to quote someone’s explanation .

It shows you have reviewed how someone phrased something and would like to discuss it in your academic writing. This is great because it keeps the reader engaged and tries a different word.

You can also review these examples:

• Bob Taylor explained “my reasoning for this choice is simple, and I care very little for your expressions of rebellion.”
• I could not remember it at the time. But Mathew Fraser explained that “we are not the only ones fighting this.”

2. Mentioned

Another way to say “said” is “mentioned.” It’s a formal synonym that keeps things fresh when quoting information .

Generally, “mentioned” refers to less important information . If you “mention” something, it’s likely that it’s not the most important thing for a reader to pay attention to.

Of course, any mentioned information is still worth reading. However, this word is definitely better utilized when you don’t put much weight behind what you’re sharing.

Perhaps these essay samples will also help you:

• She mentioned that “wolves do not concern themselves with the opinion of sheep.” This created the movement as we know it today.
• Carla Hill mentioned “I will not back down from the challenge.” Hence, we watched what unfolded after.

3. Suggested

People make suggestions all the time. And, as it happens, you can use “suggested” as a formal way to say “said.”

“Suggested” works well when quoting people’s opinions . A suggestion often relates to an opinion rather than a fact, making it clear that you’re expressing how someone feels.

We recommend using it when you’re unsure of the validity of someone’s comment. It’s still useful in academic writing, but it lets readers know they should take the quote with a pinch of salt.

• Paul De Angelo suggested that “things can get better if we really try.” So, we have commenced a green initiative.
• He suggested that “we must continue doing things this way.” Needless to say, it helped people to understand what comes next.

Claims are common in essays. People claim things all the time to try and share facts and opinions. Generally, claims can be disproved (with a little bit of research and quality debating skills).

Therefore, “claimed” is an excellent alternative to “said.” You can use it in academic writing, as it shows you how to quote what someone said in an essay.

Generally, this phrase works best when sharing thoughts and ideas . You can always argue someone’s claim, so it’s a good way to set up contradicting points.

Also, these examples should clear things up:

• The Right Clan claimed that “ we do not know what to say to the apostates.” It created a rebellion in their system.
• We are sure they claimed “this is the only way to complete the acts.” Therefore, we had to continue as noted.

5. Remarked

Feel free to try “remarked” as a formal way to say “said” in an essay. It’s highly effective in formal writing because it shows that someone made a statement relative to your essay’s content.

If you can find a way to relate someone’s quote to your writing, feel free to use this.

It allows the reader to follow your ideas and understand why you included certain quotes. That way, you can ensure that things make sense as you write about different points.

You can also review the following examples:

• Scott Hillary remarked that “we could not go through these waters.” It was a shame because it was the only way to progress.
• They both remarked that “good tidings would come to those who asked for them.” Is that a moral lesson?

Arguments make for more interesting essays. If you can include appropriate and relevant essays, you’re liable to get a much better grade from the reviewer.

Therefore, “argued” is a word you can use instead of “said” in an essay.

It allows you to quote someone’s opinion and argue a different viewpoint . This is a great way to set up a narrative and encourage the reader to develop their own ideas based on your opinions.

Here are a few essay examples to help you:

• Sam Smith argued that “the people are against his beliefs, but he will not yield.” It was quite a powerful moment.
• “This is the best choice you have,” argued King Langsford. It stopped the onslaught in its tracks.

7. Commented

When someone makes a comment, it means they’ve briefly shared a view . Therefore, “commented” allows you to replace “said” when sharing someone’s viewpoint or opinion.

Typically, “commented” doesn’t work for highly-valued information. It’s much better for minor details and comments made by important people in your writing.

Here are a few examples to help you with it:

• Mr. Sullivan commented “this is an excellent piece of creative writing.” Therefore, I think the book is worth publishing.
• Missy Adams commented that “we are not alone in this experience.” Take that as you will to determine what we must do.

Quotes are also called statements. Therefore, it would be silly not to include “stated” at least once in your academic writing.

It’s a direct and clear way to discuss what someone has said. This allows your readers to understand someone’s opinion and find out why they might have said something.

Also, including statements as quotes allows your reading to stand out. It shows you’ve sourced the information you’re writing about, ensuring that it’s correct.

You can also review these essay samples:

• Hillary Mathews stated “we have not set anything in stone. Things can change at any moment.” It set the plan in motion.
• We stated that “this was going to be the only choice.” We needed to highlight that before continuing with the project.

While it might not be a particularly common choice, there’s nothing wrong with writing “shared” instead of “said.” It works well in essays to give you something different to write .

We recommend using “shared” only once in an essay. It makes for a suitable replacement for “said” when sharing minor details or quotes from important people.

If you can make the quote relevant to your essay, then there’s no reason not to use “shared.” It’s just as effective as “said” and much less common, making it a more interesting word to include.

Here are a few examples to help you understand it:

• “This is the turning point,” Addison King shared . I think that’s why so many people took her so seriously.
• I do not know why they said it, but Shorts & Docs shared “the information that we must inspect is right before our eyes.”

10. Clarified

You may also use “clarified” in certain instances. It’s an excellent formal synonym for “said” that shows someone confirmed information .

Generally, “clarified” works before a quote sharing important information. It shows that you want to clarify something for the reader to avoid any confusion .

We highly recommend using it when sharing sensitive or important things in your writing. That way, the reader can keep up with your writing without losing track of your ideas.

Here are some examples to help you:

• Mathew Kirkland clarified “we will not have to fight these fights any longer.” It stopped the battle on the spot.
• Noel Apollo clarified that “things will only get worse before they get better.” We can now see what he meant by that.

Martin holds a Master’s degree in Finance and International Business. He has six years of experience in professional communication with clients, executives, and colleagues. Furthermore, he has teaching experience from Aarhus University. Martin has been featured as an expert in communication and teaching on Forbes and Shopify. Read more about Martin here .

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270+ Other Words For "Said" To Supercharge Your Writing

If you've read our previous post on writing dialogue , you'll know that you shouldn't be afraid to default to he said , she said , or they said  when you're tagging your dialogue. After all, it's probably the clearest, least distracting way to indicate who's saying what. That being said, it can be useful to deploy a specific and powerful dialogue tag every now and again. 

Which dialogue tag are YOU?

Find out in just a minute.

To help you find that perfect synonym to inject action and emotion into your dialogue, here are over 270 other words for said:

Neutral/multi-purpose words

Happy/excited words , sad/upset words , angry words , annoyed words, frightened/pained words, prideful words.

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Home > All Writing Tips > 316 Other Words for Said (+ Tips to Use Them)

316 Other Words for Said (+ Tips to Use Them)

To dialogue tag, or to not dialogue tag… a question forever debated by writers! And within that dialogue, is it acceptable to use a word other than “said”?

Some authors declare that ALL colorful dialogue tags are trash. “Only use said,” they insist. “And use it as sparingly as possible.”

But the truth is, creative writing doesn’t have hard rules. We each have our own unique style and voice. So what works for Stephen King shouldn’t be set in stone for you. There are some general best practices, but ultimately, it’s up to you and your writing style to make the final decision.

I’m going to share a few sides of the debate along with examples. And finally, a list of other words for “said” in case you decide that’s the path for you.

Why the Hate for Fancy Dialogue Tags?

It’s true—some writers go a bit nuts. They feel like every single dialogue tag has to be fancy and unique, and it can get really distracting. It’s a common mistake for new and inexperienced writers.

Some of you might be familiar with My Immortal , an infamous Harry Potter fanfiction that was so awful it became a meme.

This infamous example can show what happens if you only use words other than “said”:

“I’m so sorry.” he said in a shy voice. “That’s all right. What’s your name?” I questioned. “My name’s Harry Potter, although most people call me Vampire these days.” he grumbled. “Why?” I exclaimed. “Because I love the taste of human blood.” he giggled. “Well, I am a vampire.” I confessed. “Really?” he whimpered. “Yeah.” I roared. My Immortal

This is an extreme example, and it reads a bit silly. But it captures the main reasons why some writers advise against excessive dialogue tags.

The truth is, a lot of new writers make this mistake. They’re afraid that using “said” too much is repetitive, so they try to spice it up with alternatives. Word repetition can be detrimental to your story , sure, but “said” is a common enough word that you don’t need to worry about it.

In this particular example, the problem is deeper than just other words for “said.” There’s a lot going on here.

• Every line has a unique dialogue tag, making it feel forced.
• Most of the tags don’t make sense with the dialogue.
• Every tag is applied in the same way, making the sentence fluency sound choppy.
• There’s no description or character action, making this a case of “talking heads.”
• The grammar is a bit off, too. Dialogue tags should attach with a comma instead of a period.

So it’s not JUST the dialogue tags that make it read poorly. But they certainly don’t help!

The Argument for a Simple “Said”

Like mentioned before, some writers keep dialogue tags as simple as possible – they exclusively use “said.” Sometimes I’ve heard that “asked” is the only acceptable alternative.

“Said” is invisible. Most readers won’t even actively register reading it.

It’s simple. Clean. It gets the point across, keeps your writing tight. and doesn’t distract your reader. So some writers say that other words for “said” just aren’t necessary.

It’s true that not every line needs a dialogue tag. You can pair dialogue with description or leave it plain.  Sometimes this is a better place to describe your character’s tone or imply how they’re feeling.

It’s in line with the classic advice of “show don’t tell.” Instead of telling us that your character is whispering, describe the scene in a way that implies the need for quiet or secrecy. Then your reader will imagine everyone speaking in hushed tones without the need to explain it.

“Wait,” Kent said, catching her by the elbow. “Tell me your name.” The witch yanked free from his grip and continued walking. Her pace was grueling. “Don’t you already know it? I know how they talk about me in town.”

Can you guess the tone of these two characters, just based on their actions and words? Do I need to say “Kent shouted” or “the witch snapped”?

Sometimes there’s no need for a word other than “said.” The tone is implied by the context.

RELATED: Writing Dialogue: Saying What You Mean (Not!)

Why not both try a mix.

You’re a writer, which means you get to decide on your own rules.

Don’t let others tell you there’s only one right way to write dialogue. We each have our own writing style, so we each get to make this choice for ourselves.

So play with it. Read books by your favorite authors and pay attention to what they do. Decide what you like best and write it that way.

Personally, I find that limiting myself to just is “said” a bit boring, and it’s just not always the best tool for the job.

Sometimes you want to capture an emotion in your character’s voice, and a dialogue tag is the best place to put it. Sometimes you want a simple, to-the-point “whispered” over a wordy description. Sometimes there’s multiple people in the room, so you need a dialogue tag to clarify who’s talking and “said” isn’t quite right.

My Strategy: Simple, but Varied

With dialogue tags, it’s easy to get carried away.

When I write, I keep it simple, but I’m not afraid to use something other than “said.” I’ll sprinkle in a few variations, but keep it common. Asked, whispered, hissed, interrupted, insisted, began. If the situation calls for something slightly more fancy, I’ll go for it.

Uncommon words can be distracting. Used incorrectly, they can feel forced or awkward. If they don’t fit your voice, it sounds like you’re writing a school assignment and showing off your vocab for the teacher.

A dialogue tag should be more or less invisible. They need to fit the situation and your writing style. Typically, fancy alternatives for “said” just don’t meet those criteria.

Remember, too—not every line of dialogue needs a tag. Sometimes it’s better to leave it plain or partner it with a descriptive sentence. Mixing it up is better for sentence fluency, too.

Here’s a sample I pulled from A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J. Maas.

“There’s a bond—it’s a real thread,” he said, more to himself than us. “And?” Mor asked. Lucien ran both hands through his long red hair. His skin was darker—a deep golden-brown, compared to the paleness of Eris’s coloring. “And I got to Elain’s end of it when she ran off.” “Did you sense anything?” “No—I didn’t have time. I felt her, but…” A blush stained his cheek. Whatever he’d felt, it wasn’t what we were looking for. Even if we had no idea what, precisely, that was. “We can try again—another day,” I offered. A Court of Wings and Ruin

As you can see, this short conversation includes a mix. Said, asked, and offered, along with some lines that don’t have a dialogue tag at all. The dialogue tags add a little info without being distracting.

Need Other Words for “Said “?

Here you go. A cursed list filled with many (dangerous) alternate words for “said.”

Some innate part of me likes to collect and hoard things. So I wanted to dive into the English language and collect as many other words for “said” as I could find.

English is a HUGE language, so yeah, I found a lot of them.

Most of these you’ll probably never use. Most of them you SHOULDN’T ever use.

But hey, maybe there’s a time and a place for every option on this list. A really snobby character might use really snobby vocab. A badly programmed robot might use random, nonsensical words. A parody writer might stuff a ton of these into a poorly written fanfic purely for entertainment purposes.

With power comes responsibly and lots of margin for error. So be safe, be smart, and use this list at your own risk.

A Masterlist of 316 Synonyms for “Said”

• Acknowledged
• Articulated
• Backtracked
• Complimented
• Compromised
• Contradicted
• Deliberated
• Embellished
• Entertained
• Exaggerated
• Gesticulated
• Interjected
• Interrogated
• Interrupted
• Procrastinated
• Recommended
• Spelled out
• Surrendered
• Volunteered

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Another Word for SAID: 80+ Useful Said Synonyms to Improve Your Vocabulary

Are you tired of using the word “said” repeatedly in your writing? We know we are! That’s why we’ve put together a list of synonyms for “said” to help spice up your writing and make it more interesting. Whether you’re a student, a blogger, or a professional writer, these synonyms will help you avoid repetition and keep your readers engaged.

In this article, we’ll provide you with over 80 synonyms for “said” that you can use in your writing. Unlike other synonyms that reveal a speaker’s feelings, attitude, or intentions, “said” simply states factual information. Using different synonyms for “said” allows you to convey the tone and mood of the conversation or dialogue without explicitly stating it.

Said Synonyms

Said Definition

Said is a verb that means to express something in words, especially to express a thought or opinion. It is often used when quoting someone or writing dialogue.

For example:

• She said , “I’m tired of this argument.”
• “I don’t think that’s a good idea,” he said .

Said is a past tense verb, and it is used to indicate that something was spoken or written in the past. It is a common word that is used frequently in written and spoken language to indicate that someone has expressed a thought or idea.

Common Synonyms for Said

There are many words that can be used in place of “said” when quoting someone or writing dialogue:

• articulated

Which word you choose will depend on the context of the conversation and the tone of the speaker. Some words, like “replied” and “answered,” are more neutral and straightforward, while others, like “exclaimed” and “murmured,” convey more emotion or intensity.

List of Said Synonyms

There are many different words to use instead of “said” in English. Here are 88  English synonyms for said you can improve your vocabulary every day.

Commonly Used Synonyms for Said

As writers, we often use the word “said” to attribute dialogue to a character. However, using the same word repeatedly can become monotonous and dull. That’s where synonyms come in handy. Here are some commonly used synonyms for “said” that can help spice up your writing:

• Stated : This word can be used to indicate that the character is making a formal declaration or announcement.
• Declared : Similar to “stated,” this word is often used when a character is making a bold or forceful statement.
• Exclaimed : Use this word when a character is speaking loudly or with great emotion.
• Whispered : This word is used when a character is speaking softly or in a hushed tone.
• Muttered : Use this word when a character is speaking under their breath or in a grumbling manner.
• Sighed : This word is used to indicate that a character is speaking in a resigned or discouraged manner.
• Added : This word can be used to indicate that a character is contributing to a conversation or adding to a point that has already been made.

Synonyms for Said in Narrative Writing

Descriptive synonyms.

Descriptive synonyms are words that help convey the tone or emotion behind the dialogue. Here are some examples:

• Exclaimed : Used to show excitement or enthusiasm. Example: “I can’t believe it!” she exclaimed.
• Muttered : Used to show quiet or mumbled speech. Example: “I don’t know,” he muttered.
• Whispered : Used to show secretive or hushed speech. Example: “Meet me tonight,” she whispered.
• Boomed : Used to show loud or commanding speech. Example: “Stop right there!” he boomed.
• Sighed : Used to show disappointment or resignation. Example: “I guess we’ll have to try again,” she sighed.

Action-Based Synonyms

Action-based synonyms are words that help show how the dialogue is being said. Here are some examples:

• Screamed : Used to show loud and intense speech. Example: “Get out of here!” she screamed.
• Laughed : Used to show jovial or humorous speech. Example: “That’s hilarious!” he laughed.
• Snarled : Used to show angry or hostile speech. Example: “I don’t have time for this,” he snarled.
• Squeaked : Used to show high-pitched or nervous speech. Example: “I don’t know,” she squeaked.
• Stammered : Used to show hesitant or stuttering speech. Example: “I-I don’t know what to say,” he stammered.

Synonyms for Said in Dialogue

In writing dialogue, it’s important to use dialogue tags to indicate who is speaking. While “said” is a common tag, using it repeatedly can become monotonous. That’s why it’s important to have a variety of synonyms for “said” to keep your dialogue interesting and engaging.

Here are some synonyms for “said” that you can use in your writing:

• Exclaimed:  Used to indicate a sudden or strong emotion, such as surprise or excitement. Example: “I can’t believe we won!” she exclaimed.
• Whispered:  Used to indicate a soft or secretive tone. Example: “Don’t tell anyone,” he whispered.
• Muttered:  Used to indicate a low or indistinct tone. Example: “I can’t hear you,” she muttered.
• Sighed:  Used to indicate a resigned or disappointed tone. Example: “I guess we’ll have to try again next time,” he sighed.
• Boasted:  Used to indicate a proud or arrogant tone. Example: “I knew I could do it,” she boasted.
• Inquired:  Used to indicate a questioning or curious tone. Example: “What do you mean?” he inquired.

There are many more synonyms for “said” that you can use in your writing. Just remember to use them sparingly and only when they add value to the dialogue.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some synonyms for ‘said’?

There are many synonyms for ‘said’, such as ‘stated’, ‘uttered’, ‘expressed’, ‘voiced’, ‘pronounced’, ‘declared’, ‘announced’, ‘remarked’, ‘noted’, ‘commented’, ‘observed’, ‘mentioned’, ‘reported’, ‘disclosed’, ‘revealed’, ‘conveyed’, ‘imparted’, and ‘communicated’.

What are some alternative words for ‘said’?

Some alternative words for ‘said’ include ‘whispered’, ‘muttered’, ‘shouted’, ‘yelled’, ‘screamed’, ‘exclaimed’, ‘cried’, ‘chanted’, ‘recited’, ‘uttered’, ‘articulated’, ‘enunciated’, ‘vocalized’, ‘mouthed’, ‘spoke’, ‘talked’, ‘conversed’, and ‘chatted’.

Can you suggest some other phrases to use instead of ‘said’?

Yes, some other phrases to use instead of ‘said’ include ‘added’, ‘agreed’, ‘asserted’, ‘claimed’, ‘conceded’, ‘contended’, ‘denied’, ‘doubted’, ’emphasized’, ‘insisted’, ‘objected’, ‘pointed out’, ‘protested’, ‘questioned’, ‘replied’, ‘responded’, ‘retorted’, ‘suggested’, ‘warned’, and ‘acknowledged’.

What are some commonly used phrases to replace ‘said’?

Some commonly used phrases to replace ‘said’ include ‘according to’, ‘as stated by’, ‘as claimed by’, ‘as reported by’, ‘as mentioned by’, ‘as disclosed by’, ‘as revealed by’, ‘as conveyed by’, ‘as imparted by’, ‘as communicated by’, ‘as commented by’, ‘as observed by’, and ‘as noted by’.

What are some words to use instead of ‘said’?

Some words to use instead of ‘said’ include ‘affirmed’, ‘alleged’, ‘avowed’, ‘boasted’, ‘confessed’, ‘confirmed’, ‘declared’, ‘denounced’, ‘described’, ‘elaborated’, ‘explained’, ‘indicated’, ‘insinuated’, ‘intimated’, ‘maintained’, ‘noted’, ‘proclaimed’, ‘recounted’, ‘revealed’, ‘stated’, ‘testified’, and ‘voiced’.

What are some frequently used synonyms for ‘said’?

Some frequently used synonyms for ‘said’ include ‘told’, ‘mentioned’, ‘spoke’, ‘uttered’, ‘expressed’, ‘voiced’, ‘declared’, ‘announced’, ‘remarked’, ‘noted’, ‘commented’, and ‘observed’.

Last Updated on November 8, 2023

7 thoughts on “Another Word for SAID: 80+ Useful Said Synonyms to Improve Your Vocabulary”

Very useful and learned lots of “said is dead” words.

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There are many synonyms for the word said. Said and its synonyms can also be described by adding an adverb. Said is the most frequently used word to indicate that a person is speaking in writing. You should heed the warnings below from top writers and instructors that replacing said or using adverbs to describe said is usually a bad idea. Using many said synonyms or alternatives can make your writing stilted and disrupt the flow.

Here are three ways you can replace or modify said in a sentence. In these examples we will change the following the sentence: Bob said, "There are no bears in the woods."

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Alternatives to Using “Said” When Quoting a Source

2-minute read

• 24th July 2014

When discussing the arguments of other thinkers, as we often have to do when writing a paper , you might find yourself writing “so and so says…” quite often. While this is good enough most of the time, you may also want to vary your word choice.

Moreover, in academic writing , “says” or “said” might not fully communicate what you intend. It may therefore be better to use a more precise alternative.

Alternatives to “Said”

There are plenty of synonyms for “said” that can be used in academic writing. For instance, if we imagine quoting an author called Johnson, instead of “Johnson says that,” we could write:

• States (“Johnson states that the results are consistent with past studies…”)
• Asserts (“Johnson asserts that the technique is flawed…”)
• Argues (“Johnson argues that the test should be revised…”)
• Claims (“Johnson claims that the conclusion is valid…”)
• Believes (“Johnson believes that modern science should be trusted…”)

However, it should be noted that most of these words are more specific than “said.” As such, you’ll need to check that the word you pick fits the situation.

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Saying that “Johnson argues such and such,” for instance, only makes sense if you are quoting an argument. As such, it wouldn’t make sense to say “Johnson argues that his favorite ice-cream is vanilla,” since this is an opinion, not an argument.

Likewise, some terms have connotations that you need to understand before you use them. The word “alleges,” for instance, can be a synonym for “says,” but it implies that the claim is unproven, controversial or doubtful. It therefore has quite a specific use.

Nor should you avoid using the word “says” in your work. It’s simply a case of being aware of how often you use particular terms and trying to find a suitable alternative if you are using any single term (including “said”) too much.

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Other Ways to Say SAID + PDF ✔

Other ways to say “said”.

When writing your essay, academic papers, you are overusing the word ‘said’ and looking for ‘ other ways to say said ‘? You can give more action, meaning and emotion to your dialogues with these synonyms for ‘ said ‘. There are many different ways to say ‘ said ‘ in a dialogue and academic writings. You can also download ‘other ways to say’ said pdf down below.

“I don’t want to go;’ she said. BORING! “I don’t want to go!” she whimpered. INTERESTING!

Simply replacing the word “ said ” with one of the following synonyms could give your writing the “extra kick” you’re looking for.

100 ALTERNATIVE WAYS TO SAY “SAID”

OTHER WAYS TO SAY “SAID” FOR WRITERS

agreed acknowledged, assented, conceded, concurred, consented, seconded

animal sounds barked, chirped, croaked, crowed, growled, hissed, howled, panted, roared, snarled, squawked, squeaked, yapped, yelped

answered reacted, remarked, replied, responded, retorted, returned

argued bickered, contended, contested, contradicted, countered, debated, denied, disagreed, disputed, objected, opposed, protested, quarreled, quibbled, squabbbled

asked challenged, grilled, inquired, interrogated, pried, probed, queried, questioned, quizzed, requested

begged beseeched, entreated, implored, petitioned, pleaded, prayed, pressed, requested, urged

blamed accused, alleged, attacked, charged, claimed, rebuked, reproved

chatted babbled, blabbed, chit chatted, gabbed, gibbered, gossiped, jabbered, prattled

commented mentioned, noted, opined, remarked, stated

complained bemoaned, bewailed, fretted, fussed, griped, groaned, grumbled, moaned, pouted, sniveled, whimpered, whined, yammered

cried bawled, bemoaned, bewailed,blubbered, grieved, groaned, howled, lamented, moaned, mourned, sighed, sniffled, sniveled, sobbed, wailed, wept, whimpered, yammered, yowled

criticized blasted, chastised, chided, disapproved, lambasted, nitpicked, reprimanded, zinged

declared announced, asserted, broadcasted, confirmed, informed, proclaimed, professed

exaggerated boasted, bragged, distorted, elaborated, embellished, enhanced, expanded, expounded, fabricated, inflated, overstated

explained clarified, described, detailed, illustrated, interpreted, paraphrased, summarized, translated

gasped choked, gulped, heaved, panted, snorted, wheezed

imitated aped, echoed, impersonated, mimicked, mocked, parodied, parroted

interrupted blurted, inserted, interfered, interjected

intimidated badgered, browbeat, bullied, coerced, harassed, hounded, taunted, threatened

joked bantered, jested, jived, joshed, kidded

laughed cackled, jested, jived, joshed, kidded

laughed cackled, chortled, chuckled, giggled, howled, roared, snickered, sniggere

nagged badgered, hounded, needled, pestered, prodded

observed detected, discerned, discovered, noted, noticed, perceived

ordered charged, commanded, decreed, demanded, directed, instructed

persuaded cajoled, coaxed, convinced, exhorted, insisted, urged, wheedled, wooed

predicted conjectured, forecasted, foretold, guessed, inferred, presumed, prognosticated, prophesied, speculated, supposed, surmised

promised agreed, assured, ensured, guaranteed, pledged, swore, vowed

raged boiled, bristled, foamed, fumed, ranted, raved, spit, stormed

rejoiced celebrated, cheered, exulted, hooted, jubilated, reveled

remembered brooded, recalled, recollected, reflected, reminisced

retold narrated, quoted, recited, recounted, repeated

revealed announced, confessed, confided, declared, disclosed, divulged, expressed, proclaimed, professed, uttered

sang chanted, chirped, crooned, hummed, serenaded, trilled, twittered, warbled, yodeled

scolded berated, chastened, chided, criticized, lectured, rebuked, reprimanded, reproached

screamed bawled, bellowed, blared, blurted, cried, exclaimed, hollered, roared, shouted, shrieked, shrilled, squealed, wailed, yelled, yowled

stuttered faltered, hesitated, sputtered, stammered, stumbled, trembled

suggested advised, hinted, implied, inferred, insinuated, intimated, offered, proposed, recommended

tattled blabbed, blurted, gossiped, leaked, rumored, snitched, spilled, squeaked

teased bugged, harassed, mocked, needled, pestered, razzed, ribbed, roasted, taunted

warned admonished, advised, alerted, cautioned, exhorted, forewarned

whispered breathed, buzzed, hissed, mumbled, murmured, muttered

Other Ways to Say “Said” for Academic Writing

acknowledged, added , advocated, agreed , argued, asserted , attested, commented , contradicted, elaborated , emphasized, estimated , explained, held , implied, indicated , inferred, maintained , mentioned, noted , objected, observed , pointed out, predicted , reciprocated, related , responded, stated , stressed, suggested , thought

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15 Other Words for “This Shows” in an Essay

Are you worried about including “this shows” again and again in an essay?

After all, the last thing you want to do is sound repetitive and boring.

Fret not! You have found yourself in the right place.

This article will explore other ways to say “this shows” in an essay.

Other Ways to Say “This Shows”

• This demonstrates
• This indicates
• This implies
• This portrays
• This illustrates
• This establishes
• This proves
• This points to
• This highlights

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• “This shows” is a common phrase used in essays to demonstrate how one thing leads to another.
• “This demonstrates” is a great formal synonym that’ll help to spice up your academic writing.
• Try “suggesting” as an alternative that shows how one thing could have created another.

Keep reading to learn different ways to say “this shows.” We’ve covered the two best phrases to help you understand more about how you can improve your essays.

Alternatively, you can read the final section to learn whether it’s correct to write “this shows.” It’s appropriate to check this out before continuing to include it in your essay!

This Demonstrates

If you’re looking for words to use instead of “this shows” in an essay, try “this demonstrates.” It’s a great formal synonym that’ll help to spice things up.

It also comes with two options. You can use it at the start of a sentence as written:

 This is option one. This demonstrates how to continue a thought from the previous sentence.

Or, you can include it as part of the same sentence. To do this, you should switch “this demonstrates” to “demonstrating.” For example:

This is option two, demonstrating that it’s part of the same sentence.

Either way, both are correct. The same applies to “this shows,” where you can use “showing” to include it in the same sentence.

It’s a great way to help the reader follow your process . This should make your essay much easier to read, even if the reader isn’t all that familiar with the topic.

You can also refer to these essay samples:

As you can see, we have also gathered all the necessary data. This demonstrates that we were correct about our original hypothesis.

They have created different rules for what we know. This demonstrates that they’re worried someone might try to interfere with them.

Also, you can write “suggesting” instead of “this shows.” It’s another great professional synonym that’ll help you to keep your writing interesting.

As we’ve already stated, you can use “suggesting” as part of the same sentence:

This is how it works, suggesting you can keep it to one sentence.

Or, you can switch it to “this suggests” to start a new sentence. For instance:

This is how it works. This suggests that you can create two sentences.

Both are correct. They also allow you to switch between them, giving you two options to help mix up your writing and keep the reader engaged .

Here are some essay examples if you still need help:

We have many new ideas ready to go, suggesting that we’re on the road to success. We just need more time.

This is the only way to complete the task, suggesting that things aren’t going to be as easy as we first thought.

Is It Correct to Say “This Shows”?

It is correct to say “this shows.” It’s a great word to use in an essay, and we highly recommend it when you’d like to show how one thing leads to another.

It’s a formal option, which is why it works so well in academic writing.

Also, it allows the reader to follow your thought process, which helps keep things streamlined and clear.

For instance:

Here is an example of how we can achieve this. This shows that we have considered every option so far.

“This shows” always starts a new sentence . You can use it whenever you’d like to connect back to the former sentence directly.

Also, makes sure you use “shows” as the verb form. It comes after “this,” so the only correct form is “shows.” To remind you, you can refer to these examples:

• Correct: This shows that things are supposed to work this way.
• Incorrect: This show that we know what we’re doing.

It’s worth using some extensions if you’re still looking to mix things up as well. Try any of the following:

• This evidence shows
• This picture shows
• This data shows
• This graph shows
• This study shows

Including something between “this” and “shows” allows you to be more specific . It helps direct the reader’s attention to something from the previous sentence.

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noun as in written discourse

Strongest matches

• dissertation

Strong matches

• composition
• disquisition
• explication

noun as in try, attempt

• undertaking

Weak matches

• one's all
• one's level best

verb as in try, attempt

• have a crack
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• put to the test
• take a stab at
• take a whack at

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Related words.

Words related to essay are not direct synonyms, but are associated with the word essay . Browse related words to learn more about word associations.

verb as in point or direct at a goal

• concentrate
• contemplate
• set one's sights on

noun as in piece of writing

• think piece

verb as in try, make effort

• do level best
• exert oneself
• give a fling
• give a whirl
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Example Sentences

As several of my colleagues commented, the result is good enough that it could pass for an essay written by a first-year undergraduate, and even get a pretty decent grade.

GPT-3 also raises concerns about the future of essay writing in the education system.

This little essay helps focus on self-knowledge in what you’re best at, and how you should prioritize your time.

As Steven Feldstein argues in the opening essay, technonationalism plays a part in the strengthening of other autocracies too.

He’s written a collection of essays on civil engineering life titled Bridginess, and to this day he and Lauren go on “bridge dates,” where they enjoy a meal and admire the view of a nearby span.

I think a certain kind of compelling essay has a piece of that.

The current attack on the Jews,” he wrote in a 1937 essay, “targets not just this people of 15 million but mankind as such.

The impulse to interpret seems to me what makes personal essay writing compelling.

To be honest, I think a lot of good essay writing comes out of that.

Someone recently sent me an old Joan Didion essay on self-respect that appeared in Vogue.

There is more of the uplifted forefinger and the reiterated point than I should have allowed myself in an essay.

Consequently he was able to turn in a clear essay upon the subject, which, upon examination, the king found to be free from error.

It is no part of the present essay to attempt to detail the particulars of a code of social legislation.

But angels and ministers of grace defend us from ministers of religion who essay art criticism!

It is fit that the imagination, which is free to go through all things, should essay such excursions.

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On this page you'll find 154 synonyms, antonyms, and words related to essay, such as: article, discussion, dissertation, manuscript, paper, and piece.

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.

Synonyms of says

• as in tells
• as in expresses
• as in recites
• as in assumes
• as in shares
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Thesaurus Definition of says

 (Entry 1 of 2)

Synonyms & Similar Words

• articulates
• puts into words
• promulgates
• pipes up (with)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• paraphrases
• communicates
• hypothesizes
• presupposes
• takes for granted
• hypothecates
• conjectures
• preconceives
• wonders (about)
• disagrees (with)
• disbelieves
• controverts

Thesaurus Definition of says  (Entry 2 of 2)

• convictions
• enfranchisements

Thesaurus Entries Near says

saying uncle

Cite this Entry

“Says.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus , Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/says. Accessed 10 Apr. 2024.

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Mental health care is hard to find, especially for people with Medicare or Medicaid

Rhitu Chatterjee

With rates of suicide and opioid deaths rising in the past decade and children's mental health declared a national emergency , the United States faces an unprecedented mental health crisis. But access to mental health care for a significant portion of Americans — including some of the most vulnerable populations — is extremely limited, according to a new government report released Wednesday.

The report, from the Department of Health and Human Services' Office of Inspector General, finds that Medicare and Medicaid have a dire shortage of mental health care providers.

The report looked at 20 counties with people on Medicaid, traditional Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans, which together serve more than 130 million enrollees — more than 40% of the U.S. population, says Meridith Seife , the deputy regional inspector general and the lead author of the report.

Medicaid serves people on low incomes, and Medicare is mainly for people 65 years or older and those who are younger with chronic disabilities.

The report found fewer than five active mental health care providers for every 1,000 enrollees. On average, Medicare Advantage has 4.7 providers per 1,000 enrollees, whereas traditional Medicare has 2.9 providers and Medicaid has 3.1 providers for the same number of enrollees. Some counties fare even worse, with not even a single provider for every 1,000 enrollees.

"When you have so few providers available to see this many enrollees, patients start running into significant problems finding care," says Seife.

The findings are especially troubling given the level of need for mental health care in this population, she says.

"On Medicare, you have 1 in 4 Medicare enrollees who are living with a mental illness," she says. "Yet less than half of those people are receiving treatment."

Among people on Medicaid, 1 in 3 have a mental illness, and 1 in 5 have a substance use disorder. "So the need is tremendous."

The results are "scary" but "not very surprising," says Deborah Steinberg , senior health policy attorney at the nonprofit Legal Action Center. "We know that people in Medicare and Medicaid are often underserved populations, and this is especially true for mental health and substance use disorder care."

Among those individuals able to find and connect with a provider, many see their provider several times a year, according to the report. And many have to drive a long way for their appointments.

"We have roughly 1 in 4 patients that had to travel more than an hour to their appointments, and 1 in 10 had to travel more than an hour and a half each way," notes Seife. Some patients traveled two hours each way for mental health care, she says.

Mental illnesses and substance use disorders are chronic conditions that people need ongoing care for, says Steinberg. "And when they have to travel an hour, more than an hour, for an appointment throughout the year, that becomes unreasonable. It becomes untenable."

"We know that behavioral health workforce shortages are widespread," says Heather Saunders , a senior research manager on the Medicaid team at KFF, the health policy research organization. "This is across all payers, all populations, with about half of the U.S. population living in a workforce shortage."

But as the report found, that's not the whole story for Medicare and Medicaid. Only about a third of mental health care providers in the counties studied see Medicare and Medicaid patients. That means a majority of the workforce doesn't participate in these programs.

This has been well documented in Medicaid, notes Saunders. "Only a fraction" of providers in provider directories see Medicaid patients, she says. "And when they do see Medicaid patients, they often only see a few."

Lower reimbursement rates and a high administrative burden prevent more providers from participating in Medicaid and Medicare, the report notes.

"In the Medicare program, they set a physician fee rate," explains Steinberg. "Then for certain providers, which includes clinical social workers, mental health counselors and marriage and family therapists, they get reimbursed at 75% of that rate."

Medicaid reimbursements for psychiatric services are even lower when compared with Medicare , says Ellen Weber , senior vice president for health initiatives at the Legal Action Center.

"They're baking in those discriminatory standards when they are setting those rates," says Steinberg.

The new report recommends that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) take steps to increase payments to providers and lower administrative requirements. In a statement, CMS said it has responded to those recommendations within the report.

According to research by Saunders and her colleagues at KFF, many states have already started to take action on these fronts to improve participation in Medicaid.

Several have upped their payments to mental health providers. "But the scale of those increases ranged widely across states," says Saunders, "with some states limiting the increase to one provider type or one type of service, but other states having rate increases that were more across the board."

Some states have also tried to simplify and streamline paperwork, she adds. "Making it less complex, making it easier to understand," says Saunders.

But it's too soon to know whether those efforts have made a significant impact on improving access to providers.

CMS has also taken steps to address provider shortages, says Steinberg.

"CMS has tried to increase some of the reimbursement rates without actually fixing that structural problem," says Steinberg. "Trying to add a little bit here and there, but it's not enough, especially when they're only adding a percent to the total rate. It's a really small increase."

The agency has also started covering treatments and providers it didn't use to cover before.

"In 2020, Medicare started covering opioid treatment programs, which is where a lot of folks can go to get medications for their substance use disorder," says Steinberg.

And starting this year, Medicare also covers "mental health counselors, which includes addiction counselors, as well as marriage and family therapists," she adds.

While noteworthy and important, a lot more needs to be done, says Steinberg. "For example, in the substance use disorder space, a lot of addiction counselors do not have a master's degree. And that's one of their requirements to be a counselor in the Medicare program right now."

Removing those stringent requirements and adding other kinds of providers, like peer support specialists, is key to improving access. And the cost of not accessing care is high, she adds.

"Over the past two decades, [in] the older adult population, the number of overdose deaths has increased fourfold — quadrupled," says Steinberg. "So this is affecting people. It is causing deaths. It is causing people to go to the hospital. It increases [health care] costs."

• Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
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Venice Biennale 2024

Can Adriano Pedrosa Save the Venice Biennale? No Pressure.

Balancing diplomacy and geopolitics is hardly new for the first Biennale curator from Latin America. He isn’t scared to make a strong statement on contemporary art.

Adriano Pedrosa, curator of the 60th edition of the Venice Biennale, “Foreigners Everywhere,” near the entrance to the Giardini. Credit... Matteo de Mayda for The New York Times

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By Zachary Small

• April 10, 2024

Only workaholics and delusional optimists should organize a Venice Biennale, as the Brazilian curator Adriano Pedrosa discovered during the countless flights and midnight meetings that have crammed his calendar for the past two years.

“This would probably have taken five years and a team of intense researchers,” Pedrosa said in a video interview, if he hadn’t spent more than a decade mulling the possibilities, most recently as the influential artistic director of the São Paulo Museum of Art.

On April 16, when the press previews begin for the 60th international exposition, others will judge whether the 58-year-old curator has captured the zeitgeist of contemporary art with his two-pronged show, “Foreigners Everywhere,” in the sprawling spaces of the Giardini and the Arsenale.

The title is a provocation, weighted by the anti-immigrant agendas of Italy , Hungary and other countries in the last few years. Pedrosa, however, speaks about celebrating the foreigner and the historic waves of migration across the planet, offering a catalog of synonyms — “Immigrant, émigré, expatriate” — even as he expands the concept. “I take this image of the foreigner and unfold it into the queer, the outsider, the Indigenous,” he said.

Those themes are embodied by 331 artists , most of whom will be unfamiliar to even seasoned art snobs. They are divided here between two major sections, one focusing on contemporary art and another dedicated to work made in the 20th century. Most have arrived from the Global South without major gallery representation or a foothold in the museum circuit. For many visitors, it will be the first time experiencing the splintered abstractions of Zubeida Agha (1922-1997) from Pakistan, the expressive portraiture of Hatem El Mekki (1918-2003) from Tunisia and the colorful fantasies of Emiliano di Cavalcanti (1897-1976) from Brazil, among others.

From the beginning, critics noticed that “Foreigners Everywhere” would serve as a somber — some say morose — tipping point: It’s the first Venice Biennale in recent years to showcase more dead artists than living ones.

But the element of surprise has long been Pedrosa’s calling card. At the São Paulo Museum of Art, known by its Portuguese acronym MASP, his signature “Histories” exhibitions have united artworks from across time and space, overturning the dominant narratives of Western culture.

His 2018 exhibition “Afro-Atlantic Histories” exemplified the approach by discussing the African diaspora and related topics like slavery through about 500 works, according to Pedrosa, spanning 450 years of history. The New York Times critic Holland Cotter wrote that the curator “has transformed an institution that advertises itself as having the most significant collection of old master European art in the Southern Hemisphere into a cultural laboratory.”

Other curators followed Pedrosa’s lead, including Max Hollein, the director of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, who initiated a series of cross-cultural exhibitions in 2020, drawing from diverse areas of the collection.

“Within his program over the last five or six years, Adriano basically addressed the major questions that museums around the world were asking of their collections,” Hollein said. “He developed a master plan.”

But the Venice Biennale will test the strength of Pedrosa’s curatorial formula and its ability to capture the attention of global audiences who also will be touching down at some 90 national pavilions and dozens of independent collateral events throughout the waterlogged city.

“Griping about biennials is one of the art world’s favorite hobbies: not enough young artists, too many young artists; not enough local artists, too many local artists,” said the New York-based art historian Claire Bishop. “You can’t please everyone all the time. What’s important is what kind of overall argument is being made. The bigger concern, which everyone is losing sight of, is that Pedrosa’s Venice might be our last adventurous intellectual statement for many years.”

She was referring to the rightward tilt of Italian politics that has rattled the culture sector after the 2022 election of Giorgia Meloni as prime minister. Meloni’s appointment of the contrarian journalist Pietrangelo Buttafuoco as the new president of the Venice Biennale has worried some scholars who expect him to challenge the art world’s liberal impulses.

Pedrosa, in a series of video interviews, said the government has not interfered with his program. “I had complete freedom and autonomy to develop the project,” he said. “I had one meeting with an individual from the ministry of culture. I spoke to him about the project. It was okay. Nothing major.”

But the curator admitted that domestic politics and international conflicts weighed on the exhibition. His celebration of foreigners comes after a crackdown by the Italian government, amid plans to send some migrants who are rescued in the Mediterranean by Italian ships to detention centers in Albania. The Venice Biennale has also received demands from thousands of artists and culture workers who signed a petition to ban Israel from opening its national pavilion because of its ongoing conflict in Gaza. But Gennaro Sangiuliano, the Italian culture minister, rejected the petition, saying that Israel “not only has the right to express its art, but it has the duty to bear witness to its people precisely at a time like this when it has been ruthlessly struck by merciless terrorists.”

Dealing with boycotts or protests at the Venice Biennale falls to the organization’s leadership, Pedrosa said; he is only responsible for the main exhibition, which features three Palestinian artists and includes a few artworks that refer to the Israel-Hamas war.

Pedrosa, the first Latin American curator in the Venice Biennale’s 130-year history, is no stranger to navigating art world politics.

“He is one of the most important curators in Brazil,” said Jacqueline Martins, a São Paulo gallerist who said that Pedrosa helped internationalize the reputation of the country’s artists.

Pamela J. Joyner, the art collector and trustee at the Museum of Modern Art, said her recent acquisitions of work by Black Brazilian artists like Antonio Bandeira (1922-67) and Laís Amaral (who was born in 1993) was inspired by the curatorial work done by Pedrosa and his museum colleagues.

“Some group shows devolve to the lowest common denominator and don’t reveal anything new,” Joyner said. “His don’t do that. He gives you a lot to work with.”

And Brazilian journalists who followed his rise to international stardom noted how Pedrosa seemed to effortlessly move between commercial and institutional roles earlier in his career. That reputation was forged at a local art fair, SP-Arte , where he led artistic programs from 2011 to 2014 under the show’s founder, Fernanda Feitosa. It was one of Pedrosa’s many gigs at the time as an independent curator, which included organizing sections for the Frieze art fair and exhibitions at museums around the world. His role as artistic director of MASP began in 2014 under Heitor Martins, the museum’s president — and Feitosa’s husband.

“His purview as a curator grew in tandem with the rise of the market over the last three decades,” said Gabriella Angeleti, a Brazilian culture writer based between Rio de Janeiro and Brooklyn. “His focus hasn’t been in promoting art that’s palatable to the market but in expanding the understanding of Brazilian art through projects that bring lesser-known voices and facets of history to the forefront.”

But finding the right tone for the Venice Biennale is something altogether difficult — a task requiring global scale, independent vision and diplomatic twang. Pedrosa is infectiously friendly and silver-haired handsome; the curator excels at the galaxy-brain levels of networking required at an exhibition that courts world leaders and top collectors. And he is already mounting a defense at some early criticisms that his artist list generated when it was published earlier this year.

Upon learning that the 2022 edition of the Biennale included 95 dead artists, making up 44 percent of the participants, ARTnews declared the statistic “staggering.” This year the proportion of dead artists in the exhibition is 55 percent.

And so Pedrosa has faced some unexpected questions: What does it mean to produce an exhibition of contemporary art when more than half of the artists are not living?

“I think it’s a shame,” said Dean Kissick, a culture critic in New York, who noted that almost 50 artists in the current Biennale were born in the 1800s. “We live in this hopeless time with so much pessimism,” he said. “There is no belief in the future and no vision of it, when culture might at least express something about what it feels to be alive now. Going back into the past is a refusal to let the present happen.”

Pedrosa disagreed. “Many of the artists are dead, but the art is very much alive,” he said, acknowledging that many curators were uncovering more diverse artists from the 20th century who had been overlooked in their own time. He added that contemporary artists would have the largest physical presence at the exhibition because they would be represented by multiple works or a large-scale single work.

“One can see contemporary art has been decolonized to a certain extent,” Pedrosa said. “But that didn’t happen for most exhibitions during the 20th century.”

Bishop, the art historian, pointed to a consistent historical element in every Venice Biennale. “It looks like most of the ‘dead’ artists are going to be midcentury figures from the Global South, so they will hardly be familiar,” she said. “Frankly, it’s going to be more rewarding than seeing the latest M.F.A. graduates that have been snapped up and overpromoted by New York and Berlin commercial galleries!”

The criticism might also just be part of the Biennale tradition, according to Hollein, the Met’s director, who has been attending the show for decades.

“Always in the opening days, there are heated discussions saying this is a failed Biennale,” he said. “But you see the impact and the opening of horizons in the aftermath.”

Zachary Small is a Times reporter writing about the art world’s relationship to money, politics and technology. More about Zachary Small

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