Gaf, for a couple of years I've been compiling words from books so I can expand my vocabulary in my attempt to be a good writer. Despite our rocky relationship, I am pleased to share my collection with you. This thread is all about ways of saying things. It's not a perfect list, and perhaps not fully complete. But it's a start. I've divided the list into adverbs and verbs. The first few things in the list didn't fall perfectly into either category so they're at the top. You'll notice I drew a lot from Harry Potter. I also drew from Dune and LOTR and some Philip K. Dick novels.
Enjoy. Feel free to provide feedback.
- aggravated tone
- anguished voice
- asked
- chorus of laughter
- comments punctuated by
- drew a deep breath
- dropped their voices
- fierce voice
- flat, expressionless
- growing fainter
- in disgust
- jaunty voice
- jeering voice
- jowls aquiver
- let out a wail of despair
- loud and scathing voice
- low, despairing groan
- made an indistinct noise in his throat
- mouth fell open
- murmur of assent
- murmur of interest
- murmur of voices
- patronizing tone
- piping voice
- put on a (certain type of voice)
- quiver in voice
- racking sobs
- reedy voice
- roar of sound filled the hall
- rude remarks
- said
- shaky voice
- sharp intake of breath
- shrill voice
- winning voice
- a quick word
- abashedly
- abruptly
- absently
- absent-mindedly
- acidly
- admonishingly
- adoringly
- affronted tones
- aggressively
- agitated voice
- agitatedly
- airily
- aloud
- amicably
- angrily
- anguished voice
- animatedly
- anxiously
- apologetically
- appreciatively
- apprehensively
- approvingly
- approvingly
- as an afterthought
- as an aside
- ashamedly
- astutely
- at a loss for words
- at once
- audible gasp
- audibly
- automatically
- awkwardly
- baldly
- beseechingly
- bitterly
- bizarrely
- blandly
- blankly
- bleakly
- blearily
- blithely
- bluntly
- boastfully
- booming voice
- bracingly
- bravely
- breathlessly
- breezily
- briefly
- brightly
- briskly
- brusquely
- bursting to say
- businesslike voice
- cajolingly
- calmly
- capriciously
- carefully
- carelessly
- casually
- caustically
- cautiously
- changed tack at top speed
- characteristically
- cheerfully
- cheerily
- clearly
- coldly
- comfortably
- confidently
- consolingly
- contemptuously
- conversationally
- coolly
- cordially
- courteously
- cozily
- cracked voice
- crankily
- crazily
- crisply
- crossly
- cruelly
- curiously
- curtly
- cuttingly
- darkly
- deadly voice
- deafeningly
- decisively
- declaratively
- defeated voice
- defensively
- defiantly
- dejected voice
- dejectedly
- deliberately
- delicately
- delicately inflected
- deploringly
- derisively
- despairingly
- desperately
- desperately
- determinedly
- devotedly
- disappointedly
- disdainfully
- dismissively
- disparagingly
- dispassionately
- distant voice
- distractedly
- doggedly
- dramatically
- drawled
- dreamily
- dreamily
- drowsily
- dryly
- dully
- dully
- eagerly
- earnestly
- easily
- emphatically
- emphatically
- encouragingly
- energetically
- enigmatically
- enthusiastically
- enviously
- evasively
- evilly
- exasperatedly
- excitedly
- explicitly
- exuberantly
- faint voice
- faintly
- fearfully
- feebly
- fervently
- fiercely
- finally
- firmly
- flatly
- fluently
- forcefully
- frankly
- frantically
- furiously
- fussily
- genially
- gently
- gleefully
- gloatingly
- glumly
- graciously
- gratefully
- gravelly voice
- greedily
- grimly
- grudgingly
- gruffly
- grumpily
- guaranteed
- half-heartedly
- happily
- harshly
- hastily
- hatefully
- heartily
- heatedly
- heavily
- helpfully
- helplessly
- high-pitched voice
- hoarsely
- hollow voice
- honestly
- hopefully
- hotly
- hurriedly
- hushed voice
- hysterically
- icily
- idly
- impatiently
- imperturbably
- implicitly
- imploringly
- in a rush
- in a whisper
- in an undertone
- in disbelief
- in hushed tones
- in relief
- in unison
- inadvertently
- inarticulate yell of rage
- incoherently
- incomprehensibly
- inconsequentially
- incredulously
- indifferently
- indignantly
- innocently
- inquiringly
- insistently
- interestedly
- irritably
- irritated voice
- jarringly different voice
- jauntily
- jealously
- jerkily
- jovially
- joyfully
- jubilantly
- keenly
- kindly
- knowledgeably
- lamely
- lazily
- let slip
- lightly
- loftily
- loudly
- lovingly
- low voice
- loyally
- madly
- matter-of-factly
- melodramatically
- menacingly
- merrily
- mildly
- miserably
- morosely
- mournfully
decidedly
- muffled voice
- musingly
- mysteriously
- nastily
- naturally
- nervously
- not of hysteria
- note of accusation
- note of derision
- note of skepticism
- numbly
- obediently
- obnoxiously
- off-handedly
- oily voice
- ominously
- ostentatiously
- outburst
- painfully
- panicky voice
- parched voice
- passionately
- paternally
- patiently
- persistently
- placidly
- plainly
- plaintively (sadly)
- pleasantly
- pointedly
- politely
- pompous and singsong mocking
- pompously
- portentously
- positively shouted
- promptly
- proudly
- quellingly
- quickly
- quietly
- rapidly
- rapturously
- rattled voice
- rattling breath
- rattling gasp
- reasonably
- reassuringly
- reedy voice
- referred
- refused
- regretfully
- reluctantly
- reminiscently
- remonstratively
- repeatedly
- repressive voice
- repressively
- reproachfully
- reprovingly
- resentfully
- resigned voice
- respectfully
- reverently
- robustly
- roughly
- rudely
- ruefully
- ruthlessly
- sagely
- sarcastically
- sardonically
- savagely
- scandalized tone
- scandalous tone
- scathing noise
- serenely
- seriously
- shakily
- shamelessly
- sharply
- shiftily
- shocked voice
- shortly
- shrewdly
- shrilly
- silkily
- simply
- sincerely
- skeptically
- sleekly
- slightly
- slowly
- slurred speech
- slyly
- smilingly
- smoothly
- snidely
- snidely
- softly
- solemnly
- somberly
- soothingly
- soundlessly
- sourly
- squeakily
- stab at airiness
- started
- staunchly
- steadily
- sternly
- stiffly
- stifled a yawn
- stoutly
- strained voice
- strained whisper
- strangely
- strangled voice
- strong voice
- strongly
- succinctly
- suddenly
- sulkily
- suspiciously
- sweetly
- swiftly
- sympathetically
- tartly
- tartly
- tearfully
- tensely
- tentatively
- tersely
- testily
- thankfully
- thickly
- thoughtfully
- threateningly
- throatily
- through chattering teeth
- thunderously
- timidly
- timorously
- tone of bravado
- tonelessly
- tones of outrage
- tragically
- tremulously
- triumphantly
- truthfully
- unabashedly
- unashamedly
- unblushingly
- uncertainly
- uncharacteristically
- uncharacteristically
- uncomfortably
- unconcernedly
- under breath
- unexpectedly
- ungraciously
- happily
- unhelpfully
- unpleasantly
- untruthfully
- urgently
- vaguely
- vainly
- vehemently
- vigorously
- violently
- voice broke away
- voice faltered
- voice floated
- voice of contempt
- voice tailed away
- voice tailed away
- voice trailed off
- voiced dropped
- warily
- warmly
- waspishly
- weakly
- wearily
- whistled
- wildly
- with difficulty
- wonderingly
- wordlessly
- wryly
- abused
- accepted
- accused
- added
- addressed
- admitted
- admonished
- advised
- agreed
- allowed (admitted)
- announced
- answered
- apportioned blame
- apprised
- approved
- argued
- arranged
- articulated
- asked
- assented
- assigned
- assumed a tone
- assured
- babble of talk
- babbled
- bade (farewell)
- badgered
- balked
- bandy (spread rumor)
- barked
- bawled (at top of lungs)
- beamed
- beckoned
- beckoned
- began
- begged
- belched
- bellowed
- beseeched
- bickered
- blamed
- blared
- bleated
- blithered
- blurted
- blustered
- boasted
- booed
- boomed
- bossed
- bray (donkey)
- breathed
- broken in
- broke it to him
- broke off
- burbled
- burped
- burst
- butted in
- cackled
- called
- chanted
- chastised
- chattered
- checked
- cheered
- chewed
- chided
- chirped
- choked
- choked on that
- chortled
- christened
- chuckled
- cleared throat
- clucked
- cogitate
- commanded
- commented
- communicated
- confided
- confirmed
- conceded
- consented
- considered
- consulted
- contacted
- continued
- conversed
- conveyed
- corresponded
- coughed
- cried
- croaked
- cursed (fluently)
- cut across
- cut in
- daresay
- declared
- declined
- decreed
- decried
- defended
- demanded
- denied
- deplored
- disagreed
- discussed
- dismissed
- dissolved into wails of gratitude
- divulged
- drawled
- dribbled out of his mouth
- droned on
- dropped his voice to a whisper
- echoed
- effect an introduction
- ejaculated (will never use)
- elaborated
- embellished
- encouraged
- entertained
- enumerated
- erupted
- exaggerated
- exclaimed
- excused
- explained
- expounded
- false laugh
- faltered
- figured
- finished
- fired up
- forestalled
- forewarned
- framed a reply
- fumed
- gave a derisive snort/laugh
- gagged
- gasped
- gibbered
- giggled
- gloated
- granted/had to grant
- grated
- greeted
- grimaced
- grinned
- groaned
- growled
- grumbled
- grunted
- guessed
- guffawed
- gulped
- gurgled
- haggle
- hearty guffaw
- heaved a sigh
- hector
- heralded
- hesitated
- hiccoughed
- hiccupped
- hinted
- hissed
- hooted
- howled
- howled with laughter/pain
- huffed
- hummed
- humored
- identified
- implored
- impressed
- indicated
- inflected
- informed
- inquired
- insisted
- instructed
- interjected
- interrogated
- interrupted
- intervened
- intimated
- intonated
- introduced
- invented
- it was on his lips to ask
- jabbed
- jabbered
- jeered
- jested
- jibed
- lamented
- laughed
- launched
- launched into the story
- lied
- listed
- maintained
- maintained
- meandered
- mentioned
- mimed
- mimicked
- moaned
- mocked
- mouth fell open
- mouthed soundlessly
- mumbled
- murmur of interest
- murmured
- mused
- muttered
- nagged
- named
- natter
- negotiated
- nickered (horse)
- nodded
- noted
- objected
- observed
- offered
- ordered
- overrode
- overstated
- panted
- persisted
- piped up
- placed
- pleaded
- pleaded
- pled
- pointed out
- prate
- prate at
- prattle
- prattled
- presented
- pressed on (the matter)
- pressed the point
- promised
- protested
- purred
- put to words what they had realized
- quelled
- questioned
- quipped
- quavered
- quivered
- quizzed
- racked
- raged
- ranted
- rasped
- rattled
- raved
- reasoned
- reassured
- recalled
- rechristened
- recited
- reckoned
- recounted
- reflected
- regaled (to retell to someone)
- related
- remarked
- reminded
- reminisced
- remonstrated
- repeated
- replied
- reported
- requested
- resolved
- responded
- retched
- retorted
- revealed
- riddled
- roared
- rumble
- said in disgust
- said with relish
- sang
- scathingly
- scoffed
- screeched
- shivered
- shooed
- shot
- shouted
- shouted herself hoarse
- shrieked
- shrugged
- shushed
- slobbered
- slurred
- smothered laughter
- snapped
- snarled
- sneered
- sniffed
- sniggered
- snored
- snorted
- snubbed
- sobbed
- sounded
- spat
- spiel
- sputtered
- spluttered
- spoke
- spoke ill of
- spouted
- sprayed spit
- spun
- squawked
- squeaked
- squealed
- squelched
- stammered
- stated
- stifled a laugh
- stressed
- stuttered
- suggested
- supplied
- suppressed laughter
- surely you jest
- swallowed
- swore
- taunted
- teased
- tensely
- tersely
- thanked
- threatened
- through gritted teeth
- thundered
- tipped off
- toasted
- told
- tongue in cheek
- took up the cry
- trilled
- trumpeted
- tut-tutted
- twinkled
- understated
- urged
- uttered
- vituperate (insult)
- voice boomed
- voiced
- vomited
- wailed
- warbled
- warned
- went on
- wheezed
- whimpered
- whispered
- whistled
- whooped
- wished
- wish him good luck
- yapped
- yawned
- yelled
- yelped
- yipped
Enjoy. Feel free to provide feedback.
- aggravated tone
- anguished voice
- asked
- chorus of laughter
- comments punctuated by
- drew a deep breath
- dropped their voices
- fierce voice
- flat, expressionless
- growing fainter
- in disgust
- jaunty voice
- jeering voice
- jowls aquiver
- let out a wail of despair
- loud and scathing voice
- low, despairing groan
- made an indistinct noise in his throat
- mouth fell open
- murmur of assent
- murmur of interest
- murmur of voices
- patronizing tone
- piping voice
- put on a (certain type of voice)
- quiver in voice
- racking sobs
- reedy voice
- roar of sound filled the hall
- rude remarks
- said
- shaky voice
- sharp intake of breath
- shrill voice
- winning voice
- a quick word
- abashedly
- abruptly
- absently
- absent-mindedly
- acidly
- admonishingly
- adoringly
- affronted tones
- aggressively
- agitated voice
- agitatedly
- airily
- aloud
- amicably
- angrily
- anguished voice
- animatedly
- anxiously
- apologetically
- appreciatively
- apprehensively
- approvingly
- approvingly
- as an afterthought
- as an aside
- ashamedly
- astutely
- at a loss for words
- at once
- audible gasp
- audibly
- automatically
- awkwardly
- baldly
- beseechingly
- bitterly
- bizarrely
- blandly
- blankly
- bleakly
- blearily
- blithely
- bluntly
- boastfully
- booming voice
- bracingly
- bravely
- breathlessly
- breezily
- briefly
- brightly
- briskly
- brusquely
- bursting to say
- businesslike voice
- cajolingly
- calmly
- capriciously
- carefully
- carelessly
- casually
- caustically
- cautiously
- changed tack at top speed
- characteristically
- cheerfully
- cheerily
- clearly
- coldly
- comfortably
- confidently
- consolingly
- contemptuously
- conversationally
- coolly
- cordially
- courteously
- cozily
- cracked voice
- crankily
- crazily
- crisply
- crossly
- cruelly
- curiously
- curtly
- cuttingly
- darkly
- deadly voice
- deafeningly
- decisively
- declaratively
- defeated voice
- defensively
- defiantly
- dejected voice
- dejectedly
- deliberately
- delicately
- delicately inflected
- deploringly
- derisively
- despairingly
- desperately
- desperately
- determinedly
- devotedly
- disappointedly
- disdainfully
- dismissively
- disparagingly
- dispassionately
- distant voice
- distractedly
- doggedly
- dramatically
- drawled
- dreamily
- dreamily
- drowsily
- dryly
- dully
- dully
- eagerly
- earnestly
- easily
- emphatically
- emphatically
- encouragingly
- energetically
- enigmatically
- enthusiastically
- enviously
- evasively
- evilly
- exasperatedly
- excitedly
- explicitly
- exuberantly
- faint voice
- faintly
- fearfully
- feebly
- fervently
- fiercely
- finally
- firmly
- flatly
- fluently
- forcefully
- frankly
- frantically
- furiously
- fussily
- genially
- gently
- gleefully
- gloatingly
- glumly
- graciously
- gratefully
- gravelly voice
- greedily
- grimly
- grudgingly
- gruffly
- grumpily
- guaranteed
- half-heartedly
- happily
- harshly
- hastily
- hatefully
- heartily
- heatedly
- heavily
- helpfully
- helplessly
- high-pitched voice
- hoarsely
- hollow voice
- honestly
- hopefully
- hotly
- hurriedly
- hushed voice
- hysterically
- icily
- idly
- impatiently
- imperturbably
- implicitly
- imploringly
- in a rush
- in a whisper
- in an undertone
- in disbelief
- in hushed tones
- in relief
- in unison
- inadvertently
- inarticulate yell of rage
- incoherently
- incomprehensibly
- inconsequentially
- incredulously
- indifferently
- indignantly
- innocently
- inquiringly
- insistently
- interestedly
- irritably
- irritated voice
- jarringly different voice
- jauntily
- jealously
- jerkily
- jovially
- joyfully
- jubilantly
- keenly
- kindly
- knowledgeably
- lamely
- lazily
- let slip
- lightly
- loftily
- loudly
- lovingly
- low voice
- loyally
- madly
- matter-of-factly
- melodramatically
- menacingly
- merrily
- mildly
- miserably
- morosely
- mournfully
decidedly
- muffled voice
- musingly
- mysteriously
- nastily
- naturally
- nervously
- not of hysteria
- note of accusation
- note of derision
- note of skepticism
- numbly
- obediently
- obnoxiously
- off-handedly
- oily voice
- ominously
- ostentatiously
- outburst
- painfully
- panicky voice
- parched voice
- passionately
- paternally
- patiently
- persistently
- placidly
- plainly
- plaintively (sadly)
- pleasantly
- pointedly
- politely
- pompous and singsong mocking
- pompously
- portentously
- positively shouted
- promptly
- proudly
- quellingly
- quickly
- quietly
- rapidly
- rapturously
- rattled voice
- rattling breath
- rattling gasp
- reasonably
- reassuringly
- reedy voice
- referred
- refused
- regretfully
- reluctantly
- reminiscently
- remonstratively
- repeatedly
- repressive voice
- repressively
- reproachfully
- reprovingly
- resentfully
- resigned voice
- respectfully
- reverently
- robustly
- roughly
- rudely
- ruefully
- ruthlessly
- sagely
- sarcastically
- sardonically
- savagely
- scandalized tone
- scandalous tone
- scathing noise
- serenely
- seriously
- shakily
- shamelessly
- sharply
- shiftily
- shocked voice
- shortly
- shrewdly
- shrilly
- silkily
- simply
- sincerely
- skeptically
- sleekly
- slightly
- slowly
- slurred speech
- slyly
- smilingly
- smoothly
- snidely
- snidely
- softly
- solemnly
- somberly
- soothingly
- soundlessly
- sourly
- squeakily
- stab at airiness
- started
- staunchly
- steadily
- sternly
- stiffly
- stifled a yawn
- stoutly
- strained voice
- strained whisper
- strangely
- strangled voice
- strong voice
- strongly
- succinctly
- suddenly
- sulkily
- suspiciously
- sweetly
- swiftly
- sympathetically
- tartly
- tartly
- tearfully
- tensely
- tentatively
- tersely
- testily
- thankfully
- thickly
- thoughtfully
- threateningly
- throatily
- through chattering teeth
- thunderously
- timidly
- timorously
- tone of bravado
- tonelessly
- tones of outrage
- tragically
- tremulously
- triumphantly
- truthfully
- unabashedly
- unashamedly
- unblushingly
- uncertainly
- uncharacteristically
- uncharacteristically
- uncomfortably
- unconcernedly
- under breath
- unexpectedly
- ungraciously
- happily
- unhelpfully
- unpleasantly
- untruthfully
- urgently
- vaguely
- vainly
- vehemently
- vigorously
- violently
- voice broke away
- voice faltered
- voice floated
- voice of contempt
- voice tailed away
- voice tailed away
- voice trailed off
- voiced dropped
- warily
- warmly
- waspishly
- weakly
- wearily
- whistled
- wildly
- with difficulty
- wonderingly
- wordlessly
- wryly
- abused
- accepted
- accused
- added
- addressed
- admitted
- admonished
- advised
- agreed
- allowed (admitted)
- announced
- answered
- apportioned blame
- apprised
- approved
- argued
- arranged
- articulated
- asked
- assented
- assigned
- assumed a tone
- assured
- babble of talk
- babbled
- bade (farewell)
- badgered
- balked
- bandy (spread rumor)
- barked
- bawled (at top of lungs)
- beamed
- beckoned
- beckoned
- began
- begged
- belched
- bellowed
- beseeched
- bickered
- blamed
- blared
- bleated
- blithered
- blurted
- blustered
- boasted
- booed
- boomed
- bossed
- bray (donkey)
- breathed
- broken in
- broke it to him
- broke off
- burbled
- burped
- burst
- butted in
- cackled
- called
- chanted
- chastised
- chattered
- checked
- cheered
- chewed
- chided
- chirped
- choked
- choked on that
- chortled
- christened
- chuckled
- cleared throat
- clucked
- cogitate
- commanded
- commented
- communicated
- confided
- confirmed
- conceded
- consented
- considered
- consulted
- contacted
- continued
- conversed
- conveyed
- corresponded
- coughed
- cried
- croaked
- cursed (fluently)
- cut across
- cut in
- daresay
- declared
- declined
- decreed
- decried
- defended
- demanded
- denied
- deplored
- disagreed
- discussed
- dismissed
- dissolved into wails of gratitude
- divulged
- drawled
- dribbled out of his mouth
- droned on
- dropped his voice to a whisper
- echoed
- effect an introduction
- ejaculated (will never use)
- elaborated
- embellished
- encouraged
- entertained
- enumerated
- erupted
- exaggerated
- exclaimed
- excused
- explained
- expounded
- false laugh
- faltered
- figured
- finished
- fired up
- forestalled
- forewarned
- framed a reply
- fumed
- gave a derisive snort/laugh
- gagged
- gasped
- gibbered
- giggled
- gloated
- granted/had to grant
- grated
- greeted
- grimaced
- grinned
- groaned
- growled
- grumbled
- grunted
- guessed
- guffawed
- gulped
- gurgled
- haggle
- hearty guffaw
- heaved a sigh
- hector
- heralded
- hesitated
- hiccoughed
- hiccupped
- hinted
- hissed
- hooted
- howled
- howled with laughter/pain
- huffed
- hummed
- humored
- identified
- implored
- impressed
- indicated
- inflected
- informed
- inquired
- insisted
- instructed
- interjected
- interrogated
- interrupted
- intervened
- intimated
- intonated
- introduced
- invented
- it was on his lips to ask
- jabbed
- jabbered
- jeered
- jested
- jibed
- lamented
- laughed
- launched
- launched into the story
- lied
- listed
- maintained
- maintained
- meandered
- mentioned
- mimed
- mimicked
- moaned
- mocked
- mouth fell open
- mouthed soundlessly
- mumbled
- murmur of interest
- murmured
- mused
- muttered
- nagged
- named
- natter
- negotiated
- nickered (horse)
- nodded
- noted
- objected
- observed
- offered
- ordered
- overrode
- overstated
- panted
- persisted
- piped up
- placed
- pleaded
- pleaded
- pled
- pointed out
- prate
- prate at
- prattle
- prattled
- presented
- pressed on (the matter)
- pressed the point
- promised
- protested
- purred
- put to words what they had realized
- quelled
- questioned
- quipped
- quavered
- quivered
- quizzed
- racked
- raged
- ranted
- rasped
- rattled
- raved
- reasoned
- reassured
- recalled
- rechristened
- recited
- reckoned
- recounted
- reflected
- regaled (to retell to someone)
- related
- remarked
- reminded
- reminisced
- remonstrated
- repeated
- replied
- reported
- requested
- resolved
- responded
- retched
- retorted
- revealed
- riddled
- roared
- rumble
- said in disgust
- said with relish
- sang
- scathingly
- scoffed
- screeched
- shivered
- shooed
- shot
- shouted
- shouted herself hoarse
- shrieked
- shrugged
- shushed
- slobbered
- slurred
- smothered laughter
- snapped
- snarled
- sneered
- sniffed
- sniggered
- snored
- snorted
- snubbed
- sobbed
- sounded
- spat
- spiel
- sputtered
- spluttered
- spoke
- spoke ill of
- spouted
- sprayed spit
- spun
- squawked
- squeaked
- squealed
- squelched
- stammered
- stated
- stifled a laugh
- stressed
- stuttered
- suggested
- supplied
- suppressed laughter
- surely you jest
- swallowed
- swore
- taunted
- teased
- tensely
- tersely
- thanked
- threatened
- through gritted teeth
- thundered
- tipped off
- toasted
- told
- tongue in cheek
- took up the cry
- trilled
- trumpeted
- tut-tutted
- twinkled
- understated
- urged
- uttered
- vituperate (insult)
- voice boomed
- voiced
- vomited
- wailed
- warbled
- warned
- went on
- wheezed
- whimpered
- whispered
- whistled
- whooped
- wished
- wish him good luck
- yapped
- yawned
- yelled
- yelped
- yipped