Synonyms of say

say 1 of 3

verb

ˈsā 

1

as in to tell

to express (a thought or emotion) in words

why don't you just say what's on your mind?

Synonyms & Similar Words

• tell
• talk
• utter
• speak
• discuss
• share
• state
• give
• verbalize
• articulate
• announce
• put
• vocalize
• bring out
• enunciate
• shout
• pass
• put into words
• look
• publish
• post
• proclaim
• voice
• affirm
• declare
• whisper
• blurt
• sound
• assert
• advertise
• word
• phrase
• ventilate
• allege
• publicize
• get off
• comment
• mouth
• promulgate
• aver
• air
• avow
• vent
• breathe
• remark
• gasp
• blabber
• murmur
• formulate
• broadcast
• lip
• chirp
• shoot
• blaze
• spout
• avouch
• bolt
• couch
• clothe
• rip (out)
• snarl
• purr
• drawl
• splutter
• formulize
• pipe up (with)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• suppress
• stifle

2

as in to express

to convey in appropriate or telling terms

I'm not quite sure how to say this, but that's the worst essay I've ever read

Synonyms & Similar Words

• express
• phrase
• put
• word
• articulate
• state
• describe
• formulate
• tell
• suggest
• couch
• clothe
• imply
• summarize
• translate
• speak
• hint
• disclose
• paraphrase
• restate
• craft
• rephrase
• communicate
• talk
• utter
• insinuate
• verbalize
• intimate
• reword
• frame
• render
• vocalize
• write up

3

as in to recite

to give from memory

say your prayers

Synonyms & Similar Words

• recite
• memorize
• repeat
• speak
• learn
• study
• reel off
• mouth
• con
• declaim
• orate

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• read

4

as in to assume

to take as true or as a fact without actual proof

let's say, for the sake of argument, that this is true

Synonyms & Similar Words

• assume
• presume
• believe
• think
• suppose
• guess
• conclude
• hypothesize
• postulate
• figure
• accept
• presuppose
• insist
• imagine
• dream
• take for granted
• suspect
• premise
• speculate
• hypothecate
• infer
• claim
• surmise
• declare
• deduce
• swallow
• judge
• perceive
• credit
• reckon
• conjecture
• assert
• maintain
• contend
• gather
• affirm
• conceive
• theorize
• suspicion
• take
• fancy
• allege
• profess
• aver
• avow
• preconceive
• avouch

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• doubt
• question
• wonder (about)
• challenge
• disagree (with)
• deny
• dispute
• disbelieve
• discredit
• discount
• reject
• distrust
• controvert
• disclaim
• repudiate
• disavow
• refute
• mistrust
• disprove
• rebut
• disown
• belie
• confute

say

2 of 3

adverb

as in about

close to but not exactly

a person consumes, say, 2000 calories a day

Synonyms & Similar Words

• about
• approximately
• roughly
• like
• around
• some
• much
• after a fashion
• plus or minus
• generally
• somewhere about
• nearly
• more or less
• near
• somewhere around
• loosely
• practically
• virtually
• nominally
• well-nigh
• kind of

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• precisely
• exactly
• even
• just
• sharp
• due
• squarely
• smack-dab

say

3 of 3

noun

as in share

the right to express a wish, choice, or opinion

even if they decide otherwise, at least I had my say

Synonyms & Similar Words

• share
• voice
• vote
• opinion
• role
• say-so
• part
• belief
• sentiment
• franchise
• conviction
• suffrage
• view
• ballot
• judgment
• enfranchisement

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of say

Verb

Ferndale school officials say high school students gained experience through drone filming crews, race-day event management and supervised flight projects. — Dejanay Booth-Singleton, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026

Papierniak said Arlington Heights is participating in a joint municipal bid with Palatine and Elk Grove Village to procure additional salt for the season. — Steve Zalusky, Chicago Tribune, 21 Aug. 2026

Adverb

The result has been a group of ridiculously talented dancers with a never-say-quit attitude and a lot of stuff to say — and doing it elegantly. — Lauren Warnecke, Chicago Tribune, 29 May 2026

Noun

Detroiters are getting their say on the future of the Renaissance Center and the East Riverfront. — Elaine Rojas-Castillo, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026

Los Angeles members thought the Academy allowed too many people to vote on the Primetime Emmys, arguing that only members working in national programming should have a say. — Michael Schneider, Variety, 18 Aug. 2026

Phrases Containing say

• needless to say
• say uncle