Said and replied are common words used when writing dialogue in a story. They’re important to have, but you don’t need to use them every single time a character speaks. If there are two characters having a conversation, you may go without “said” or “replied”.
In the case of using “said” and “replied”, unnecessary adverbs are used to modify them. They can be replaced with one strong verb. However, you need to be careful that you don’t end up with a tautology.
Here is a list of suggested alternative verbs you can use that add tone/mood into a scene:
[NOTE: Past Tense Examples]
Answered
Reacted
Acknowledged
Murmured
Called out
Yelled
Shouted
Hissed
Laughed
Bellowed
Hollered
Cried
Squawked
Yelped
Squealed
Alarmed
Shrieked
Exclaimed
Commented
Argued
Whispered
Whistled
Sniffed
Sobbed
Sighed
Wheezed Giggled
Mocked
Chuckled
Hooted Roared
Screamed
Summoned
Warned
Shrilled
Interjected
Insulted
Insisted
Agreed
Grinned
Imitated / Mimicked
Persuaded
Theorised
Slurred
Interrogated
Clarified
Interrupted
Remarked
Wailed
Whimpered
Screeched
Hailed
Sung
Barked
Cheered
Dismissed
Prompted
Kate Halena 
Love this, Kate! Will bookmark!
The post that I might have been looking for reading since long is… “Other Words For Said & Replied.” Brilliant!
In most of my screenplays/stories/novellas, I used or even still “do” use very common words like… “said”, “replied”, “answered”, “gushed”, “hit fist in the air”, “shouted”, “playfully said/smiled/nudged…” & on & on, but never even thought like that before to look beyond these words, cause, I guess… I was needed to read ’tis wondrous post, today! The way, you’ve explained things with proper functioning of illustrations (real examples taken off books) is quite impressive and easily understood to me. I’m pretty sure, from now, i’m gonna use some of those new words in my upcoming new #writing-projects.
Enjoyed reading your post to the full!
I’d be looking forward to reading some of your latest stuffs! Hope you post soon!