The Dialogue Thesaurus: A Fiction Writer's Sourcebook of Dialogue Tags and Phrases (4 page)

oafishly; obdurately; obediently; obeisantly; objectively; obligatorily; obligedly; obligingly; obliquely; obliviously; obnoxiously; obscenely; obscurely; obsequiously; observantly; obsessively; obstinately; obstreperously; obtrusively; obtusely; occupiedly; oddly; odorously; offendedly; offensively; offhandedly; officially; officiously; oilily; ominously; onerously; open-mindedly; open-mouthedly; openhandedly; openly; opinionatedly; opportunely; opportunistically; opposedly; oppositely; oppressively; opprobriously; optimistically; oracularly; orderingly; ostensibly; ostentatiously; outlandishly; outragedly; outrageously; outrightly; outspokenly; over-enthusiastically; overbearingly; overconfidently; overeagerly; overjoyedly; overprotectively; overtly; overwhelmedly; overwhelmingly; overzealously; owlishly; oxymoronically.

painedly; painfully; painlessly; painstakingly; palely; pallidly; panickingly; pantingly; paradoxically; paranoidly; parenthetically; parochially; parsimoniously; partially; partingly; passingly; passionately; passionlessly; passively; paternally; pathetically; patiently; patriarchally; patriotically; patronizingly; pausingly; peaceably; peacefully; peculiarly; pedantically; peevedly; peevishly; pejoratively; pellucidly; penetratingly; penitentially; penitently; pensively; perceptibly; perceptively; peremptorily; perfectly; perfidiously; perfunctorily; perkily; permissively; perplexedly; perseveringly; persistently; perspicaciously; perspicuously; perspiringly; persuadedly; persuasively; pertinaciously; pertinently; pertly; perturbedly; perversely; pervertedly; pessimistically; pesteringly; pestiferously; petrifiedly; pettishly; petulantly; philosophically; phlegmatically; pickily; picturesquely; piercingly; pietistically; piggishly; pigheadedly; piously; piquantly; piteously; pithily; pitifully; pitilessly; pityingly; placatingly; placidly; plainly; plaintively; plangently; platitudinously; platonically; plausibly; playfully; pleadingly; pleasantly; pleasedly; pleasingly; pleasurably; pliantly; pluckily; poetically; poignantly; pointblank; pointedly; pointlessly; poisedly; poisonously; pokingly; polishedly; politely; politically; pompously; ponderingly; ponderously; pontifically; poorly; portentously; positively; possessively; potently; poutily; powerfully; powerlessly; practically; pragmatically; prayerfully; pre-emptively; precariously; preciously; precipitately; precipitously; precisely; precociously; precognizantly; predatorily; predictably; predictively; preferentially; prejudgementally; prejudicedly; prematurely; preoccupiedly; preparatorily; preparedly; preposterously; pressingly; pressuringly; presumingly; presumptively; presumptuously; pretentiously; prettily; preventively; pridefully; priggishly; primitively; primly; prissily; pristinely; proactively; probingly; proddingly; prodigally; profanely; professionally; proficiently; profligately; profoundly; profusely; prognostically; prognosticatively; progressively; prohibitively; prolifically; promiscuously; promisingly; promptingly; promptly; prophetically; propitiatingly; propitiously; proprietarily; prosaically; prosily; prospectively; protectively; protestingly; protractedly; proudly; providently; provisionally; provocatively; prudently; prudishly; pruriently; pryingly; puckishly; puerilely; puffily; pugnaciously; puissantly; punctiliously; punctually; pungently; punishingly; punitively; puppyishly; puritanically; purposefully; purposelessly; pushily; pusillanimously; putridly; puzzledly.

quaintly; quakingly; quarrelsomely; quaveringly; queasily; queerly; quellingly; querulously; queryingly; questionably; questioningly; quickly; quiescently; quietly; quirkily; quiveringly; quixotically; quizzically.

rabidly; racily; radiantly; raggedly; ragingly; railingly; rakishly; ramblingly; rambunctiously; rancidly; rancorously; randily; randomly; rankly; rantingly; rapaciously; rapidly; raptly; rapturously; rashly; raspily; raspingly; rationally; rattlingly; raucously; raunchily; ravenously; ravishingly; readily; realistically; realizingly; reasonably; reasonlessly; reassuredly; reassuringly; rebelliously; rebukingly; recalcitrantly; receptively; reciprocatively; recklessly; reclusively; recollectively; red-facedly; red-handedly; reddeningly; redundantly; reelingly; refinedly; reflectively; reflexively; refractorily; refreshedly; refreshingly; regally; regardfully; regardlessly; regretfully; reinforcingly; rejectedly; rejoicingly; relaxedly; relaxingly; relentingly; relentlessly; relevantly; reliably; relievedly; relievingly; religiously; relishingly; reluctantly; remarkably; remedially; rememberingly; reminiscently; remonstrantly; remorsefully; remorselessly; remotely; repeatedly; repellently; repentantly; repetitiously; repetitively; reprehensively; reprimandingly; reproachfully; reprovingly; repulsedly; repulsively; resentfully; reservedly; resignedly; resolutely; resolvedly; resonantly; resoundingly; respectably; respectfully; respectively; resplendently; responsibly; responsively; restfully; restively; restlessly; restrainedly; restrainingly; restrictedly; restrictively; retaliatingly; reticently; retractively; retributively; retroactively; retrospectively; revealingly; revengefully; reverberantly; reverently; revoltingly; revolutionarily; rewardingly; rhapsodically; rhetorically; rhythmically; rhythmlessly; riantly; ribaldly; ridiculously; righteously; rightfully; rigidly; rigorously; ringingly; riotously; ripely; risibly; riskily; risquely; ritualistically; ritually; robustly; roguishly; roisterously; rollickingly; romantically; rosily; rottenly; roughly; rousingly; routinely; rowdily; royally; rudely; ruefully; ruggedly; rumblingly; ruminatingly; ruminatively; rustily; ruthlessly.

sacrilegiously; saddenedly; sadistically; sadly; sagaciously; sagely; salaciously; saltily; salutatorily; sanctimoniously; sanely; sanguinely; sappily; sarcastically; sardonically; sassily; satirically; satisfactorily; satisfiedly; satisfyingly; saturninely; saucily; savagely; savoringly; savvily; scandalously; scaredly; scarily; scathingly; schemingly; scholastically; scientifically; scintillatingly; scoffingly; scoldedly; scoldingly; scorchingly; scornedly; scornfully; scowlingly; scratchily; scrupulously; scurrilously; searchingly; searingly; secretively; sedately; seditiously; seductively; sedulously; seekingly; seethingly; self-absorbedly; self-approvingly; self-assuredly; self-centeredly; self-confidently; self-consciously; self-critically; self-deprecatingly; self-effacingly; self-importantly; self-indulgently; self-interestedly; self-mockingly; self-pityingly; self-possessedly; self-righteously; self-satisfiedly; self-servingly; selfishly; selflessly; senselessly; sensibly; sensitively; sensually; sensuously; sententiously; sentimentally; separately; sepulchrally; serendipitously; serenely; seriously; servilely; severely; sexily; shakenly; shakily; shakingly; shallowly; shamefacedly; shamefully; shamelessly; sharply; shatteringly; sheepishly; shiftily; shiftingly; shiveringly; shockedly; shockingly; short-temperedly; shortly; showily; shrewdly; shrewishly; shrilly; shrinkingly; shudderingly; shyly; sibilantly; sickeningly; sickly; sighingly; significantly; silkily; sillily; simperingly; simplistically; simply; simultaneously; sincerely; sinfully; singingly; singlemindedly; sinisterly; skeptically; sketchily; skillfully; skittishly; slackly; slanderously; slavishly; sleekly; sleepily; slickly; slimily; slipperily; slobberingly; sloppily; slothfully; slowly; sluggishly; slurringly; sluttishly; slyly; smarmily; smartly; smilingly; smirkingly; smokily; smolderingly; smoothly; smotheringly; smugly; smuttily; snappily; sneakily; sneeringly; snidely; sniffily; snobbily; snobbishly; snootily; sobbingly; soberly; sociably; soddenly; softheartedly; softly; solemnly; solicitously; solidly; somberly; somnolently; sonorously; soothedly; soothingly; sophisticatedly; soporifically; sordidly; sorely; sorrowfully; soulfully; sourly; speciously; speculatively; speechlessly; speedily; spellbindingly; spellbound; spicily; spinelessly; spiritedly; spiritlessly; spiritually; spitefully; splenetically; spoiledly; spontaneously; spookily; sporadically; sportily; spunkily; squarely; squeakily; squeamishly; stably; staidly; stalely; stalwartly; stammeringly; standoffishly; starchily; starkly; startledly; startlingly; staunchly; steadfastly; steadily; steadyingly; stealthily; steamily; steelily; sternly; stiffly; stifledly; stiflingly; stiltedly; stingily; stingingly; stoically; stolidly; stonily; stormily; stoutly; straightfacedly; strainedly; strainingly; strangely; strangledly; strategically; strenuously; strepitously; stressedly; stressfully; strictly; stridently; strikingly; stringently; strongly; stubbornly; studiously; stuffily; stumblingly; stumpedly; stunnedly; stupefiedly; stupidly; stuporously; sturdily; stutteringly; stylishly; suavely; subduedly; subjectively; submissively; subserviently; subtly; subversively; succinctly; suddenly; sufferingly; suffocatingly; suggestingly; suggestively; sulkily; sullenly; sultrily; sunnily; superciliously; superficially; superfluously; superiorily; superstitiously; suppliantly; supplicatingly; supportedly; supportively; surlily; surprisedly; surprisingly; surreally; surrenderingly; surreptitiously; suspectingly; suspensefully; suspiciously; swaggeringly; sweetly; swiftly; sycophantically; symbolically; sympathetically; systematically.

taciturnly; tactfully; tactically; tactilely; tactlessly; tactually; talkatively; tamely; tantalizingly; tardily; tartly; tastefully; tastelessly; tauntingly; tautly; tearfully; tearily; teasingly; tediously; tellingly; temerariously; temperamentally; temperately; tempestuously; temptedly; temptingly; tenaciously; tenderly; tensely; tentatively; tenuously; tepidly; terribly; terrifiedly; terrifyingly; territorially; tersely; testily; testingly; tetchily; thankfully; thanklessly; theatrically; theoretically; therapeutically; thickheadedly; thickly; thinly; thirstily; thornily; thoughtfully; thoughtlessly; threatenedly; threateningly; thriftily; thrillingly; throatily; throbbingly; thuggishly; thumpingly; thunderingly; thunderously; thusly; tidily; tightly; timidly; timorously; tinglingly; tipsily; tiredly; tirelessly; tiresomely; tiringly; tolerantly; tomboyishly; tonelessly; toothily; toothlessly; topically; tormentedly; tormentingly; tornly; torpidly; torridly; torturously; touchily; touchingly; toughly; toxically; tragically; trailingly; traitorously; tranquilly; transfixedly; traumatically; treacherously; treasonably; treasonously; tremblingly; tremulously; trenchantly; trepidly; trickily; trillingly; trimly; tritely; triumphantly; troubledly; truculently; trustingly; trustworthily; truthfully; tumidly; tumultuously; tunefully; tunelessly; turbulently; turgidly; twangily; twinklingly; twistedly; twitchily; twitchingly; tyrannically.

uglily; unabashedly; unaffectedly; unaggressively; unambitiously; unamiably; unamicably; unamusedly; unapologetically; unappreciatively; unashamedly; unassumingly; unattractively; unbecomingly; unbelievingly; unbelligerently; unbendingly; unbiasedly; unblinkingly; unblushingly; uncannily; uncaringly; unceremoniously; uncertainly; uncharacteristically; uncharitably; unchastely; uncheerfully; unchivalrously; uncivilly; unclearly; uncleverly; uncomfortably; uncommunicatively; uncompetitively; uncomplainingly; uncompliantly; uncomprehendingly; uncompromisingly; unconcernedly; unconsciously; unconsolably; uncontrollably; unconvincedly; unconvincingly; uncooperatively; uncordially; uncourageously; uncouthly; uncritically; unctuously; undauntedly; undecidedly; undecipherably; undefeatedly; underhandedly; understandably; understandingly; understatedly; undeservingly; undignifiedly; undistractedly; undividedly; uneasily; unemotionally; unenlightenedly; unenthusiastically; unenviously; unequivocally; unerringly; unethically; unevenly; unexpectedly; unfairly; unfaithfully; unfalteringly; unfamiliarly; unfashionably; unfavorably; unfazedly; unfearingly; unfeelingly; unflickeringly; unflinchingly; unfocusedly; unforgivingly; ungallantly; ungenerously; ungenially; unglamorously; ungraciously; ungratefully; ungrudgingly; unguardedly; unguiltily; unhaltingly; unhappily; unharmoniously; unheedingly; unhelpfully; unheroically; unhesitantly; unhesitatingly; unhurriedly; unimaginatively; unimposingly; unimpressedly; unimpressively; unindulgently; uninformatively; uninhibitedly; uninquisitively; uninspiredly; unintelligently; unintelligibly; unintentionally; uninterestedly; uninvitingly; unkindly; unknowingly; unmelodiously; unmercifully; unmindfully; unmotivatedly; unmovingly; unnecessarily; unnervedly; unnervingly; unobservantly; unobtrusively; unofficially; unostentatiously; unperturbedly; unpleasantly; unpoetically; unprecedentedly; unpredictably; unpreparedly; unpretentiously; unproductively; unprofessionally; unquestioningly; unrealistically; unreasonably; unreceptively; unrefinedly; unregretfully; unrelentingly; unreluctantly; unremorsefully; unrepentantly; unreservedly; unresponsively; unrestrainedly; unrevealingly; unromantically; unruffledly; unsatisfiedly; unscrupulously; unselfconsciously; unselfishly; unsettledly; unsettlingly; unshakably; unsmilingly; unsociably; unsolicitously; unsteadily; unsubtly; unsuccessfully; unsurely; unsurprisedly; unsurprisingly; unsuspectingly; unsympathetically; unthinkingly; unthreateningly; untrustingly; untruthfully; unvirtuously; unwantedly; unwarily; unwaveringly; unwelcomingly; unwillingly; unwisely; unyieldingly; upliftingly; uproariously; upsetly; urbanely; urgently; usefully; uselessly; uxoriously.

vacantly; vacillatingly; vacuously; vaguely; vaingloriously; vainly; valiantly; validly; valorously; vapidly; vauntingly; vehemently; venally; venerably; veneratively; vengefully; venomously; venturesomely; veraciously; verbatim; verbosely; veritably; vexedly; vibrantly; vibratingly; vicariously; viciously; victoriously; vigilantly; vigorously; vilely; villainously; vindicatedly; vindictively; violently; virginally; virtuously; virulently; viscously; vitriolically; vituperatively; vivaciously; vividly; vocally; vociferously; voicelessly; volatilely; voluminously; voluntarily; voluptuously; voraciously; voyeuristically; vulgarly; vulnerably; vyingly.

waggishly; waifishly; wanderingly; wanly; wantingly; wantonly; warily; warmly; warningly; waspishly; watchfully; waveringly; waywardly; weakly; wearily; wearisomely; weepily; weightily; weirdly; welcomingly; well-meaningly; well-timedly; wetly; wheedlingly; wheezingly; whimperingly; whimsically; whinily; whiningly; whisperingly; wholeheartedly; wickedly; wide-eyedly; wildly; wilfully; wilily; willfully; willingly; wimpily; wimpishly; wincingly; windedly; winningly; winsomely; wintrily; wisely; wishfully; wispily; wistfully; witheringly; witlessly; wittily; wittingly; wobbily; woefully; wolfishly; wonderfully; wonderingly; wondrously; woodenly; woozily; wordily; wordlessly; worriedly; worrisomely; worshipfully; worshippingly; worthlessly; woundedly; wrathfully; wrenchingly; wretchedly; wrongly; wryly.