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”, and I have included examples further on.
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 Argued Agreed
Reacted Whispered Grinned
Acknowledged Whistled Imitated / Mimicked
Murmured Sniffed Persuaded
Called out Snorted Theorised
Yelled Sobbed Slurred
Shouted Sighed Interrogated
Hissed Wheezed Clarified
Laughed Giggled Interrupted
Bellowed Mocked Solved
Hollered Chuckled Remarked
Cried Hooted Wailed
Squawked Roared Whimpered
Yelped Screamed Screeched
Squealed Summoned Hailed
Alarmed Warned Sung
Shrieked Shrilled Barked
Exclaimed Interjected Cheered
Commented Insulted Dismissed
Insisted 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!