700+ Best Dialogue Tags List & Action Beats For Every Writer
The Dialogue Tags “said” and “asked” are the most common and often the least intrusive dialogue tags. But it’s always best to use other dialogue tags when they add meaning or help convey the tone/emotion of the dialogue.
In this post, we’ll provide an extensive list of best dialogue tags you can use in your writing. Remember, though; it’s essential to use dialogue tags sparingly. Also, avoid overusing overly descriptive or uncommon dialogue tags, as they can distract the reader and take away from the story’s content.
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500 Best Dialogue Tags List
For clear and easier navigation, I’ve broken down this dialogue tags list and action beats into seven groups:
- Dialogue Tags other than said
- Dialogue tags for questions
- Dialogue tags before dialogue
- Dialogue tags after dialogue
- Dialogue tags: Action tags
- Dialogue tags: Adverbs
- Dialogue Tags: Angry tags
- Action Beats
- More Dialogue Tags
A. 100 Dialogue Tags Other Than Said
Here are 500 dialogue tags other than “said” to add variety and nuance to your writing:
- Acknowledged
- Admitted
- Advised
- Affirmed
- Agreed
- Allowed
- Amended
- Announced
- Answered
- Apologized
- Approved
- Argued
- Articulated
- Asked
- Assented
- Asserted
- Assumed
- Assured
- Babbled
- Barked
- Bawled
- Beamed
- Began
- Bellowed
- Beseeched
- Blabbed
- Blabbered
- Blasted
- Blubbered
- Blurted
- Boasted
- Bothered
- Bragged
- Breathed
- Brooded
- Cackled
- Cautioned
- Challenged
- Chanted
- Chatted
- Cheered
- Chided
- Chirped
- Choked
- Chortled
- Chuckled
- Clamored
- Clarified
- Coaxed
- Commanded
- Commented
- Complained
- Conceded
- Concluded
- Concurred
- Confessed
- Confided
- Confronted
- Congratulated
- Consoled
- Contemplated
- Continued
- Contradicted
- Contributed
- Convinced
- Cooed
- Corrected
- Counseled
- Cried
- Croaked
- Crowed
- Cursed
- Dared
- Debated
- Decided
- Declared
- Declined
- Demanded
- Denied
- Described
- Determined
- Dictated
- Disclosed
- Discussed
- Dismissed
- Dispensed
- Disputed
- Divulged
- Drawled
- Droned
- Eagerly
- Echoed
- Elaborated
- Encouraged
- Endorsed
- Enthused
- Enunciated
- Estimated
- Exclaimed
- Explained
B. 100 Dialogue Tags for Questions
Here’s a list of 50 dialogue tags that can be used for questions. Consider using these tags and mixing them with action beats, character movements, and expressions to create more engaging dialogue:
- asked
- inquired
- questioned
- interrogated
- probed
- quizzed
- pressed
- demanded
- wondered
- queried
- grilled
- interviewed
- examined
- cross-examined
- solicited
- investigated
- sought
- requested
- required
- implored
- entreated
- begged
- beseeched
- petitioned
- urged
- pleaded
- proposed
- challenged
- pried
- insisted
- posed
- put forth
- ventured
- whispered
- muttered
- mumbled
- murmured
- stammered
- stuttered
- hesitated
- faltered
- babbled
- drawled
- hinted
- implied
- suggested
- asserted
- blurted
- exclaimed
- gasped
- sputtered
- marveled
- reflected
- gushed
- emphasized
- pronounced
- enunciated
- articulated
- spoke
- expounded
- ruminated
- pondered
- weighed
- contemplated
- mused
- considered
- conjectured
- speculated
- presumed
- estimated
- assessed
- evaluated
- calculated
- surmised
- approximated
C. 100 Dialogue Tags Before Dialogue
Here’s a list of 100 dialogue tags that can be used before dialogue. Keep in mind that many of these tags can also be used after dialogue, depending on the context.
- Accepted
- Accused
- Acknowledged
- Added
- Addressed
- Admitted
- Advised
- Affirmed
- Agreed
- Allowed
- Announced
- Answered
- Anticipated
- Apologized
- Appealed
- Argued
- Articulated
- Asked
- Asserted
- Assured
- Attempted
- Babbled
- Barked
- Bawled
- Began
- Begged
- Believed
- Bellowed
- Beseeched
- Blabbered
- Blurted
- Boasted
- Breathed
- Briefed
- Bragged
- Cackled
- Calculated
- Called
- Cajoled
- Cautioned
- Challenged
- Chanted
- Chatted
- Cheered
- Chided
- Chirped
- Chortled
- Chose
- Chuckled
- Claimed
- Clarified
- Clucked
- Coaxed
- Commanded
- Commented
- Communicated
- Complained
- Complimented
- Conceded
- Concluded
- Confessed
- Confided
- Confronted
- Congratulated
- Considered
- Contended
- Contested
- Continued
- Contradicted
- Conveyed
- Cried
- Criticized
- Croaked
- Cursed
- Dared
- Debated
- Decided
- Declared
- Declined
- Deduced
- Defended
- Demanded
- Denied
- Described
- Determined
- Dictated
- Disagreed
- Disclosed
- Discovered
- Dismissed
- Disputed
- Divulged
- Drawled
- Droned
- Eagerly
- Echoed
- Elaborated
- Encouraged
- Enquired
- Exclaimed
D. 100 Dialogue Tags After Dialogue
Here is a list of 100 dialogue tags that can be used after dialogue.
- acknowledged
- added
- admitted
- advised
- affirmed
- agreed
- announced
- answered
- apologized
- argued
- asked
- bellowed
- begged
- blurted
- bragged
- breathed
- called
- cautioned
- challenged
- chided
- chuckled
- claimed
- clarified
- commanded
- commented
- complained
- conceded
- confessed
- continued
- corrected
- countered
- cried
- decided
- declared
- demanded
- denied
- described
- disagreed
- disclosed
- discussed
- dismissed
- disputed
- emphasized
- encouraged
- enquired
- exclaimed
- explained
- expressed
- frowned
- giggled
- groaned
- growled
- grumbled
- guessed
- hinted
- hissed
- insisted
- instructed
- interrupted
- joked
- laughed
- lied
- mentioned
- murmured
- muttered
- objected
- observed
- offered
- ordered
- pleaded
- pointed out
- pondered
- pouted
- praised
- pressed
- proclaimed
- promised
- proposed
- questioned
- reasoned
- reassured
- recalled
- replied
- reported
- requested
- retorted
- revealed
- roared
- scoffed
- shouted
- sighed
- smiled
- snapped
- sneered
- sniffed
- sobbed
- speculated
- stated
- suggested
- whispered
D. 100 Dialogue Tags: Action Tags & Prompts
Here is a list of 100 action tags that can be used with dialogue. Action tags help to show the characters’ actions or emotions while they speak, adding more depth to your dialogue and helping readers visualize the scene.
- acknowledged, nodding
- adjusted, fixing their glasses
- agreed, clapping a hand on their shoulder
- argued, slamming a fist on the table
- asked, raising an eyebrow
- barked, pointing a finger
- beamed, eyes sparkling
- blinked, taken aback
- blushed, cheeks reddening
- breathed, steadying themselves
- chuckled, shaking their head
- clenched, balling their fists
- closed, folding their arms
- confessed, looking down
- coughed, clearing their throat
- countered, tapping a foot impatiently
- cried, wiping away tears
- crossed, resting their arms on their chest
- decided, pursing their lips
- declared, standing tall
- demanded, stomping a foot
- denied, shaking their head
- grinned, flashing a smile
- grimaced, wincing in pain
- groaned, rubbing their temples
- hesitated, biting their lip
- hissed, baring their teeth
- insisted, jabbing a finger in the air
- interrupted, waving a hand
- joked, winking
- laughed, throwing their head back
- leaned in, lowering their voice
- lied, avoiding eye contact
- listened, cocking their head
- looked away, hiding their expression
- mumbled, staring at the ground
- nodded, agreeing silently
- noticed, eyes widening
- objected, raising a hand
- observed, studying their surroundings
- paused, collecting their thoughts
- pleaded, clasping their hands together
- pointed, directing attention elsewhere
- pouted, sticking out their lower lip
- pressed, leaning closer
- pulled away, distancing themselves
- pushed, gesturing forcefully
- questioned, tilting their head
- raised, lifting their chin
- reached out, touching their arm
- reassured, giving a comforting smile
- rolled, shrugging their shoulders
- rubbed, massaging their neck
- scoffed, rolling their eyes
- scratched, running a hand through their hair
- shook, trembling slightly
- shouted, cupping their hands around their mouth
- shrugged, noncommittal
- sighed, releasing a deep breath
- smiled, eyes crinkling
- smirked, one corner of their mouth lifting
- snapped, pointing accusingly
- sneered, curling their lip
- sniffed, wrinkling their nose
- sobbed, covering their face
- squinted, shielding their eyes
- stammered, tripping over their words
- stared, locking eyes with their counterpart
- started, jumping in surprise
- stomped, expressing frustration
- studied, narrowing their eyes
- stuttered, struggling to find words
- sighed, slumping their shoulders
- tapped, drumming their fingers
- teased, poking their side
- tensed, preparing for action
- thanked, bowing their head
- thought, rubbing their chin
- threatened, clenching their jaw
- turned, facing away
- twitched, an involuntary reaction
- urged, gesturing them forward
- warned, holding up a hand
- waved, attracting attention
- whispered, cupping a hand around their mouth
- winced, flinching in pain
- winked, showing playfulness
- withdrew, stepping back
- wrinkled, furrowing their brow
- yawned, covering their mouth
- yelled, raising their voice
- yelped, startled
- hesitated, playing with their fingers
- glanced, taking in their surroundings
- relaxed, releasing tension from their shoulders
- recoiled, backing away in fear
- peered, trying to see better
- gestured, making a sweeping motion
- patted, offering reassurance
- bit, nervously chewing on their lip
These action tags can be used to enrich your dialogue by providing context and visual cues that help readers connect with the emotions and actions of your characters.
Remember to use them strategically and avoid overloading your dialogue with too many action tags, as it can become overwhelming and distracting. Balance is key when using action tags to enhance your dialogue.
E. 100 Dialogue Tags: Adverbs
Adverb dialogue tags help convey emotions and tone in your dialogue. However, be cautious not to overuse adverbs, as they can weaken your writing. Instead, aim for a balance between adverbs, action tags, and descriptive language.
- said softly
- replied anxiously
- whispered nervously
- shouted angrily
- muttered bitterly
- exclaimed excitedly
- mumbled sleepily
- asked cautiously
- responded sarcastically
- murmured soothingly
- stated confidently
- agreed hesitantly
- suggested tentatively
- laughed heartily
- cried sorrowfully
- snarled menacingly
- groaned wearily
- admitted reluctantly
- insisted forcefully
- objected passionately
- grumbled irritably
- sighed wistfully
- argued heatedly
- scolded sternly
- sneered mockingly
- babbled nervously
- answered evasively
- commanded authoritatively
- declared emphatically
- whimpered pitifully
- quipped wryly
- gasped breathlessly
- joked playfully
- retorted sharply
- chattered excitedly
- lectured monotonously
- observed thoughtfully
- purred seductively
- chided gently
- teased light-heartedly
- warned ominously
- shrieked shrilly
- cooed sweetly
- stammered awkwardly
- drawled lazily
- cheered exuberantly
- sang melodiously
- inquired curiously
- apologized sincerely
- whispered conspiratorially
- snapped irritably
- reassured earnestly
- moaned mournfully
- confessed guiltily
- praised enthusiastically
- pondered pensively
- reminisced nostalgically
- questioned suspiciously
- gushed admiringly
- lied smoothly
- mused dreamily
- exclaimed abruptly
- greeted warmly
- protested weakly
- sighed resignedly
- agreed reluctantly
- whispered hesitantly
- corrected haughtily
- bragged boastfully
- chuckled knowingly
- announced proudly
- barked aggressively
- jeered derisively
- challenged defiantly
- yawned indifferently
- hummed tunelessly
- grunted noncommittally
- whispered urgently
- roared thunderously
- chuckled darkly
- whispered timidly
- rambled absentmindedly
- giggled nervously
- sighed exasperatedly
- asserted dominantly
- screeched hysterically
- requested politely
- bellowed furiously
- croaked hoarsely
- speculated idly
- panted breathlessly
- countered cleverly
- praised lavishly
- whispered cryptically
- growled lowly
- droned on
- pleaded desperately
- snapped tersely
- implored urgently
- sighed dejectedly
F. 100 Dialogue Tags: Angry Tags
Angry dialogue tags can be used to convey strong emotions and tension between characters. Below is a list of angry dialogue tags:
- shouted
- snapped
- barked
- yelled
- snarled
- growled
- thundered
- hissed
- spat
- fumed
- roared
- huffed
- seethed
- scoffed
- retorted
- sneered
- jeered
- rasped
- bellowed
- grumbled
- cursed
- stormed
- raged
- glared
- rebuked
- scolded
- erupted
- exploded
- berated
- admonished
- chastised
- reprimanded
- blasted
- upbraided
- objected
- ranted
- protested
- confronted
- taunted
- derided
- belittled
- harangued
- railed
- reviled
- sputtered
- groused
- snapped back
- countered
- challenged
- lashed out
- lambasted
- castigated
- fulminated
- inveighed
- rumbled
- tiraded
- snorted
- bristled
- griped
- complained
- muttered darkly
- scoffed angrily
- flared
- bridled
- menaced
- blustered
- retorted icily
- hissed furiously
- barked sharply
- seethed through clenched teeth
- snarled menacingly
- growled lowly
- thundered indignantly
- spat contemptuously
- bellowed in rage
- grumbled irritably
- cursed under their breath
- exploded in anger
- rebuked harshly
- scolded bitterly
- admonished fiercely
- chastised heatedly
- reprimanded sternly
- blasted accusingly
- upbraided with fury
- ranted in exasperation
- protested vehemently
- confronted aggressively
- taunted scornfully
- derided mockingly
- belittled with disdain
- harangued furiously
- railed bitterly
- reviled angrily
- sputtered incoherently
- groused loudly
- snapped back impatiently
- countered venomously
- challenged defiantly
- lashed out in frustration
Best Action Beats
These action beats can be used to replace dialogue tags or add depth to your characters’ expressions in a scene:
- shrugged
- nodded
- smiled
- sighed
- grimaced
- rolled their eyes
- clenched their fists
- crossed their arms
- tapped their foot
- bit their lip
- raised an eyebrow
- furrowed their brow
- leaned forward
- leaned back
- looked away
- glanced around
- rubbed their neck
- rubbed their temples
- put a hand on their hip
- fidgeted with their clothes
- toyed with a nearby object
- folded their hands
- ran a hand through their hair
- scratched their head
- adjusted their glasses
- pressed their lips together
- shook their head
- tilted their head
- took a deep breath
- exhaled loudly
- drummed their fingers
- swayed from side to side
- paced back and forth
- stared intently
- squinted
- winced
- put their hands in their pockets
- stretched
- yawned
- huffed
- waved dismissively
- pointed
- gestured
- shook a finger
- placed a hand on their chest
- patted their shoulder
- rubbed their chin
- steepled their fingers
- tapped their chin
- blinked rapidly
- looked puzzled
- flinched
- wrinkled their nose
- wrinkled their forehead
- furrowed their eyebrows
- pursed their lips
- licked their lips
- twirled their hair
- tapped a pencil
- cracked their knuckles
- drummed their fingers on a table
- shifted their weight
- bobbed their head
- pulled at their collar
- rubbed their hands together
- massaged their temples
- rubbed their eyes
- wiped their brow
- smoothed their clothes
- adjusted their tie
- fiddled with their jewelry
- crossed their legs
- uncrossed their legs
- hooked a thumb in their belt
- clenched their jaw
- chewed their thumbnail
- rubbed their earlobe
- sniffed
- cleared their throat
- coughed
- sniffled
- sneezed
- laughed
- chuckled
- snickered
- giggled
- clapped their hands
- slapped their knee
- touched their face
- held their breath
- released their breath
- pressed their hand to their chest
- covered their mouth
- held their head in their hands
- placed a hand on their stomach
- rubbed their nose
- brushed their hair back
- looked at the floor
- looked at the ceiling
- closed their eyes
Video Recommendation: Dialogue Tags List
More Best Dialogue Tags List
- acknowledged
- added
- admitted
- advised
- affirmed
- agreed
- announced
- answered
- apologized
- approved
- argued
- asked
- asserted
- assured
- babbled
- barked
- began
- bellowed
- blubbered
- blurted
- boasted
- bragged
- breathed
- called
- cautioned
- challenged
- chanted
- chided
- chirped
- chortled
- chuckled
- claimed
- coaxed
- commanded
- commented
- conceded
- concluded
- confessed
- confided
- consoled
- continued
- countered
- cried
- croaked
- crowed
- dared
- decided
- declared
- demanded
- denied
- described
- directed
- disagreed
- disclosed
- divulged
- drawled
- echoed
- elaborated
- encouraged
- ended
- enthused
- exclaimed
- explained
- expressed
- finished
- fretted
- fumed
- gasped
- giggled
- groaned
- growled
- grumbled
- grunted
- guessed
- guffawed
- gushed
- hinted
- hissed
- hollered
- howled
- hummed
- implored
- inquired
- insisted
- instructed
- interjected
- interrupted
- intoned
- jeered
- joked
- jested
- laughed
- lectured
- lied
- lisped
- maintained
- marveled
- mentioned
- moaned
- mumbled
- murmured
- mused
- nagged
- narrated
- noted
- objected
- observed
- offered
- ordered
- panted
- pleaded
- pointed out
- pondered
- pouted
- praised
- prayed
- predicted
- proclaimed
- promised
- prompted
- proposed
- protested
- purred
- put forth
- questioned
- quipped
- quoted
- raged
- ranted
- reasoned
- reassured
- recalled
- recited
- recommended
- recounted
- reflected
- refused
- rejoiced
- related
- remarked
- remembered
- reminded
- repeated
- replied
- reported
- requested
- responded
- retorted
- revealed
- roared
- sang
- scoffed
- scolded
- screamed
- screeched
- shared
- shouted
- shrieked
- shrugged
- sighed
- signaled
- simpered
- smiled
- smirked
- snapped
- snarled
- sneered
- sniffed
- snorted
- sobbed
- soothed
- speculated
- spluttered
- squeaked
- squealed
- stammered
- started
- stated
- stressed
- stuttered
- suggested
- surmised
- sighed
- taunted
- teased
- testified
- theorized
- threatened
- thundered
- urged
- uttered
- volunteered
- wailed
- warned
- waved
- wept
- whispered
- whistled
- whimpered
- wondered
- winced
- wished
- worried
- wrangled
- yawned
- yelled
- yelped
- accused
- acknowledged
- addressed
- admitted
- affirmed
- alleged
- allowed
- alluded
- analyzed
- announced
- answered
- apologized
- appealed
- approved
- argued
- articulated
- asked
- asserted
- assured
- avowed
- babbled
- barked
- bawled
- beamed
- bellowed
- beseeched
- betrayed
- blabbered
- blathered
- bleated
- blubbered
- blurted
- boasted
- bragged
- breathed
- bubbled
- cackled
- cajoled
- called
- caroled
- cautioned
- challenged
- chanted
- chattered
- cheered
- chided
- chirped
- chortled
- chattered
- claimed
- clarified
- coaxed
- commanded
- commented
- compared
- complained
- conceded
- concluded
- confided
- confirmed
- confronted
- consoled
- contested
- continued
- conversed
- corrected
- countered
- cried
- croaked
- crooned
- crowed
- cursed
- decided
- debated
- declared
- declaimed
- declined
- defied
- demanded
- demurred
- denied
- described
- dictated
- disagreed
- disclosed
- discoursed
- disputed
- divulged
- drawled
- droned
- echoed
- elucidated
- emphasized
- encouraged
- endorsed
- enunciated
- enumerated
- equivocated
- exaggerated
- exclaimed
- explicated
- explained
- expressed
- expounded
- faltered
- finished
- flattered
- flirted
- fretted
- fumed
- gasped
- gesticulated
- gibbered
- giggled
- gossiped
- groaned
- growled
- grumbled
- grunted
- guffawed
- gurgled
- haggled
- harangued
- hinted
- hissed
- hollered
- howled
- hummed
- hypothesized
- implored
- implied
- inquired
- insisted
- instructed
- interjected
- interrogated
- interrupted
- intoned
- introduced
- inveighed
- jested
- jeered
- joked
- joshed
- judged
- justified
- kidded
- lamented
- laughed
- lectured
- lied
- lisped
- maintained
- marveled
- mewled
- mimicked
- moaned
- mocked
- mumbled
- murmured
- mused
- muttered
- narrated
- negated
- noted
- objected
- observed
- offered
- opined
- ordered
- panted
- parodied
- persisted
- persuaded
- petitioned
- philosophized
- pleaded
- pointed out
- pondered
- pontificated
- pouted
- praised
- prayed
- preached
- predicted
- proclaimed
- professed
- prompted
- proposed
- protested
- purred
- queried
- questioned
- quibbled
- quipped
- quoted
- raged
- rambled
- ranted
- rationalized
- reasoned
- reassured
- rebuked
- rebutted
- recalled
- recited
- reckoned
- recommended
- recounted
- reflected
- refuted
- rehashed
- rejoiced
- related
- relayed
- remarked
- remembered
- reminded
- repeated
- rephrased
- replied
- reported
- requested
- responded
- retorted
- revealed
- roared
- sang
- scoffed
- scolded
- screamed
- screeched
- shared
- shouted
- shrieked
- shrugged
- sighed
- signaled
- simpered
- smiled
- smirked
- snapped
- snarled
- sneered
- sniffed
- snorted
- sobbed
- solicited
- soothed
- speculated
- spluttered
- squeaked
- squealed
- stammered
- started
- stated
- stressed
- stuttered
- submitted
- suggested
- surmised
- sighed
- taunted
- teased
- testified
- theorized
- threatened
- thundered
- touted
- translated
- urged
- uttered
- validated
- ventured
- verified
- vocalized
- volunteered
- wailed
- warned
- waved
- wept
- wheedled
- whined
- whispered
- whistled
- whimpered
- wondered
- worried
- wrangled
- yelled
- yelped
- yodeled
- zinged
- quavered
- rhapsodized
- ribbed
- ridiculed
- ruminated
- sassed
- savored
- screeched
- seconded
- sermonized
- shivered
- shrugged off
- sidestepped
- signified
- silenced
- simpered
- sizzled
- slurred
- snapped back
- snickered
- sniveled
- soliloquized
- spouted
- squeaked out
- squirmed
- stonewalled
- strangled
- stressed out
- stuttered out
- submitted
- sulked
- summarized
- supported
- surrendered
- susurrated
- swayed
- sympathized
- tattled
- taunted back
- tempered
- tendered
- theorized
- tiptoed
- toasted
- tolerated
- trilled
- tsked
- twittered
- unburdened
- underscored
- unraveled
- updated
- vacillated
- validated
- vouched
- waffled
- wagged
- wavered
- weaseled
- welcomed
- whined back
- whinnied
- wished
- woofed
- yammered
- yearned
- yelped out
- yodeled back
- zapped