Synonyms of speaking verbs

 

Lesson for Learners 

SYNONYMS OF SPEAKING VERBS

 

The distinction between words similar in meaning are often fine and elusive and special instruction on the use of synonyms is necessary even for native speakers. Synonyms are distinguished by different shades of meaning, connotations and stylistic features. 

 

Synonymy in the English language has different functions: 
  • to avoid repetition, 
  • to secure cohesion 
  • to expand the text in the interest of redundancy 
  • to avoid poor and monotonous style

There is a group of verbs in the English language used to convey the speech. These verbs are called speaking verbs, and there are a great number of such verbs in modern English. However, the most frequently used verbs are “to say”, “to tell” and “to ask”.


Synonyms to the verb “to say”

 Verb “to say” is a neutral word. It can be used both with the direct and indirect speech. There are 51 synonyms to this verb according to “Chambers Dictionary of Synonyms and Antonyms” by Martin H. Manser 

 

Verb

Meaning

add

to put something with something else to increase the number or amount or to improve the whole: "Oh and thank you for all your help!" he added as he was leaving.

affirm

to state something is true, or to state your support for an idea, opinion: “She affirmed her intention to apply for the post.”

allege

to say that someone has done something illegal or wrong without giving proof:” The two men allege (that) the police forced them to make false confessions.”

announce

to make something known or tell people about something officially:” She announced the winner of the competition to an excited audience.”

answer

a reaction to a question, letter, phone call

assert

to say that something is certainly true

assume

to accept something as true without question or proof

claim

a statement that something is true or is a fact

comment

something that you say or write that expresses your opinion

communicate

to share information with others by speaking, writing, moving your body

confess

to admit that you have done something wrong

convey

to express a thought, feeling, or idea so that it is understood by other people

declare

to announce something clearly, firmly, publicly, or officially

deliver

to give or produce a speech or result

disclose

to make something known publicly, or to show something that was hidden

divulge

to make something secret known

echo

to express or think what someone else has said or thought

enunciate

to pronounce words or parts of words clearly

estimate

a judgment or calculation of approximately how large or how great something is

express

to show a feeling, opinion, or fact

guess

to give an answer to a particular question when you do not have all the facts

grumble

to complain about someone or something in an annoyed way

imagine

to form or have a mental picture or idea of something

hail

to call someone in order to attract their attention

imply

to communicate an idea or feeling without saying it directly

imitate

to copy the speech or behaviour

judge

to form, give, or have as an opinion, or to decide about something

maintain

to express firmly your belief that something is true

mention

to speak about something quickly, giving little detail or using few words

opine

to express an opinion

order

a request to make, supply, or deliver food or goods

perform

to entertain people by dancing, singing, acting, or playing music

presume

to believe something to be true because it is very likely

pronounce

to say a word or a letter in a particular way

plead

to make an urgent, emotional statement or request for something

read

to say the words that are printed or written

recite

to say a piece of writing aloud from memory

reckon

to consider or have the opinion that something is as stated

rejoin

to give a quick answer to what someone has said, in an angry way

remark

to give a spoken statement of an opinion or thought

render

to give something such as a service, a personal opinion or expression

repeat

to say or tell people something more than once

reply

to react to an action by someone else

report

to give a description of something or information about it to someone

respond

to say or do something as a reaction to something

retort

to answer someone quickly in an angry or funny way

reveal

to make known or show something that is surprising or a secret

rumour

to spread news

signify

to make something known

speak

to say words, to use the voice, or to have a conversation with someone

state

to say or write something, especially clearly and carefully

suggest

to mention an idea, possible plan, or action for other people to consider

surmise

to guess something, without having much or any proof

tell

to say something to someone, often giving them information

utter

to say something or to make a sound with your voice

voice

to say what you think about a particular subject

whisper

to speak very quietly, using the breath but not the voice

wonder

to ask yourself questions or express a wish to know about something


Synonyms to the verb "to tell"

Verb “to tell” is a neutral word. It can be used both with the direct and indirect speech and is usually used in sentences where the person spoken to is named. There are 35 synonyms to this verb according to “Chambers Dictionary of Synonyms and Antonyms” by Martin H. Manser 

 

Verb

Meaning

acquaint

to give someone information about something

communicate

to share information with others by speaking, writing, moving your body

confess

to admit that you have done something wrong

disclose

to make something known publicly

divulge

to make something secret known

inform

to tell someone about particular facts

let know

to make something secret known

notify

to tell someone officially about something

reveal

to make known or show something that is surprising

say

to pronounce words or sounds, to express a thought, opinion

speak

to say words, to use the voice, or to have a conversation with someone

state

a condition or way of being that exists at a particular time

utter

to say something or to make a sound with your voice

announce

to make something known or tell people about something officially

describe

to say or write what someone or something is like

mention

to speak about something quickly, giving little detail or using few words

narrate

to tell a story, often by reading aloud from a text

portray

to represent or describe someone or something in a painting

recount

to describe how something happened, or to tell a story

relate

to tell a story or describe a series of events

report

to give a description of something or information about it to someone

authorize

to give official permission for something to happen

command

an order, especially one given by a soldier

direct

without anyone or anything else being involved or between

instruct

to order or tell someone to do something, especially in a formal way

order

a request to make, supply, or deliver food or goods

comprehend

to understand something completely


Synonyms to the verb "to ask"

Verb “to ask” is a neutral word. It can be used both with the direct and indirect speech. There are 29 synonyms to this verb according to “Chambers Dictionary of Synonyms and Antonyms” by Martin H. Manser 

Verb

Translation/ Meaning

appeal

взывать a request to the public for money, information, or help

apply

обращаться to request something, usually officially

beg

умолять to make a very strong and urgent request

beseech

взмолиться to ask for something in a way shows you need it very much

bid

просить to ask someone to do something

claim

требовать to ask for smth of value because you think it belongs to you

clamour

кричать, галдеть to make a loud complaint or demand

crave

умолять to have a very strong feeling of wanting something

demand

требовать to ask for something forcefully

enquire

спрашивать ask questions of someone/something

entreat

упрашивать to beg for something or beg someone to do something

implore

умолять to ask someone to do or not do something in a very sincere way

interrogate

допрашивать to ask someone a lot of questions

invite

приглашать to ask or request someone to go to an event

order

приказывать a request to make, supply, or deliver food or goods

petition

ходатайствовать a document signed by a large number of people

plead

умолять to make an urgent, emotional statement or request

pray

молиться to speak to a god either privately or in a religious ceremony

press

настаивать to try hard to persuade someone to do something

query

осведомляться a question, often expressing doubt about something

question

расспрашивать a sentence or phrase used to find out information

quiz

расспрашивать to ask someone questions about something

request

просить the act of politely or officially asking for something

require

требовать to order or demand something

seek

обращаться, просить to ask for advice, help, approval, permission

solicit

ходатайствовать to ask someone for money, information, or help

sue

просить ask to pay you money because of harm

summon

вызывать, созывать to ask someone to come to a particular place

supplicate

молить, умолять to ask for something in a humble way




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