Whispering, the art of speaking softly, is often used to convey secrets, maintain discretion, or simply express intimacy. But in the vast realm of the English language, there are many alternative ways to express the same concept of speaking quietly.
Explore “Other Ways to Say ‘Whisper’” and enrich your vocabulary with subtle and expressive alternatives. Perfect for storytelling, creative writing, or daily conversations, these phrases bring depth to your language effortlessly.
Here, we will explore different ways to say “whisper” with practical examples, giving each phrase depth and nuance. By expanding your vocabulary, you can tailor your speech to various situations more effectively and add richness to your writing or conversation.
Top Ways to Say ‘Whisper’
- Murmur
- Hiss
- Mutter
- Breath
- Mumble
- Sigh
- Croon
- Hum
- Lisp
- Confide
- Utter Softly
- Speak Under One’s Breath
- Speak Faintly
- Speak in Hushed Tones
- Speak Softly
- Speak Low
- Speak in a Gentle Whisper
1. Murmur
A murmur refers to soft, indistinct speech that is often difficult to hear, typically conveying calm or uncertainty.
Scenario Example:
Email from Elizabeth to Darcy:
Subject: A Strange Night
Hi Darcy,
I don’t know if you noticed, but during the meeting, there was this strange moment when one of the clients started to murmur to his colleague. They looked nervous, didn’t they? It was hard to tell what they were saying, but something about their tone felt off. Maybe they were having second thoughts about the proposal?
Let me know if you caught that, too!
Best,
Elizabeth
2. Hiss
To hiss means to speak sharply in a whisper, often with a sense of urgency or displeasure.
Scenario Example:
Text message from Elizabeth to Darcy:
Hey Darcy,
During the presentation, Sophie leaned over and hissed at me, “You’re standing in my spotlight!” It was so awkward, but I didn’t want to cause a scene, so I just moved slightly to the side. Can you believe she said that?
Talk soon,
Elizabeth
3. Mutter
Mutter involves speaking in a low tone, often in complaint or frustration, where the words might be unclear.
Scenario Example:
Office note from Elizabeth to Darcy:
Hi Darcy,
After our meeting with the director, I overheard James in the hallway. He was muttering something about the deadline being impossible to meet. Honestly, I think he’s right, but he didn’t seem happy about voicing it out loud. Should we bring it up in the next team meeting?
Best,
Elizabeth
4. Breath
When someone breathes words, it implies they are speaking very softly, almost as though the words are merely a sigh.
Scenario Example:
Late-night email from Elizabeth to Darcy:
Hi Darcy,
I couldn’t sleep last night thinking about that conversation. Do you remember when Laura breathed her last words before leaving the office? She looked at me and said, “I hope tomorrow will be different.” It was barely audible, but it carried so much weight. What do you think she meant by that?
Best,
Elizabeth
5. Mumble
A mumble is when someone speaks in a way that is difficult to understand, usually due to low volume or unclear articulation.
Scenario Example:
Meeting follow-up email from Elizabeth to Darcy:
Hi Darcy,
During the discussion with our clients, I noticed that Tom mumbled something under his breath when the budget was mentioned. I couldn’t make out exactly what he said, but it seemed like he wasn’t too pleased. Maybe we should clarify the terms with him before the next meeting?
Best regards,
Elizabeth
6. Sigh
To sigh words is to speak them in a soft, exasperated manner, often accompanying a feeling of relief or resignation.
Scenario Example:
Email from Elizabeth to Darcy after a long day:
Hey Darcy,
After hours of back-and-forth discussions, Claire finally sighed and said, “I guess we’ll have to do it your way.” It wasn’t enthusiastic, but it’s a victory, right? We can move forward now, even if it took all day to get there!
Best,
Elizabeth
7. Croon
Croon is often used to describe soft singing or speaking in a soothing or affectionate tone.
Scenario Example:
Text message from Elizabeth to Darcy:
Darcy,
You won’t believe it! I caught Jeff crooning to his baby on the video call. It was so sweet, he was trying to calm her down while still participating in the meeting. He was whispering the lyrics to a lullaby—definitely a first for our team calls! 😊
Catch you later,
Elizabeth
8. Hum
When someone speaks in a hum, it is almost like they are singing softly or speaking with a rhythmic sound.
Scenario Example:
Afternoon email from Elizabeth to Darcy:
Hi Darcy,
I walked past our break room and heard Ms. Hill humming softly to herself. She was talking to the plants again! I think it’s her way of calming down after stressful meetings. It’s funny, but also kind of sweet, don’t you think?
Best,
Elizabeth
9. Lisp
A lisp can describe a soft way of speaking when someone speaks with a speech impediment or simply with a light, delicate voice.
Scenario Example:
Quick note from Elizabeth to Darcy:
Hi Darcy,
I overheard little Molly today at the playground. She’s adorable. She came up to me and lisped, “I want the teddy bear,” while pointing shyly at the prize stand. It was the sweetest thing, and her voice was so soft, I had to bend down to hear her properly!
Cheers,
Elizabeth
10. Confide
To confide in someone means to speak in a low voice, sharing personal or secretive information.
Scenario Example:
Late-night text from Elizabeth to Darcy:
Hey Darcy,
Earlier today, Maria pulled me aside and confided in me about her plans to leave the company. She made me promise not to tell anyone yet, so please keep this between us. I didn’t expect it, but she’s been thinking about it for a while. I feel like we might lose a great colleague soon.
Talk soon,
Elizabeth
11. Utter Softly
To utter softly is to speak in a gentle, low voice, emphasizing the quietness of the speech.
Scenario Example:
Email from Elizabeth to Darcy:
Hi Darcy,
You probably missed this, but at the end of the meeting, Ms. Lane uttered softly, “This isn’t going as planned.” It was so faint that I barely heard it, but her disappointment was clear. I wonder if we need to rethink our strategy.
Best regards,
Elizabeth
12. Speak Under One’s Breath
Speaking under one’s breath means to say something quietly enough that others may not easily hear, often out of frustration or to keep a secret.
Scenario Example:
Message from Elizabeth to Darcy:
Darcy,
You didn’t hear it, but when the boss mentioned the new deadline, Chris spoke under his breath, “That’s impossible.” He clearly didn’t want anyone to hear, but I was sitting right next to him. Do you think we should address it with the team before any resentment builds up?
Best,
Elizabeth
13. Speak Faintly
When someone speaks faintly, they are almost whispering, their voice weak or very soft.
Scenario Example:
Follow-up email from Elizabeth to Darcy:
Hey Darcy,
I just finished talking with Paul. He spoke faintly when he told me he wasn’t sure if he could handle the new workload. I could tell he’s overwhelmed. Maybe we should check in with him and offer some help before it gets worse?
Best,
Elizabeth
14. Speak in Hushed Tones
To speak in hushed tones is to talk in a quiet, serious manner, often when trying not to be overheard.
Scenario Example:
Email from Elizabeth to Darcy:
Hi Darcy,
Do you remember the conference last month? There was a moment when two board members were speaking in hushed tones near the back of the room. They looked pretty tense, but I couldn’t make out what they were saying. It felt like something important was being discussed behind the scenes.
Let me know if you noticed that, too.
Best,
Elizabeth
15. Speak Softly
To speak softly means to talk in a gentle and quiet voice.
Scenario Example:
Note from Elizabeth to Darcy:
Darcy,
During the lunch break, I overheard Clara speaking softly to her partner on the phone. It sounded like they were planning a surprise party. She was being so careful not to let anyone hear, but it was kind of hard not to notice with how quiet the room was.
Best,
Elizabeth
16. Speak Low
When someone speaks low, their voice is at a reduced volume, sometimes almost inaudible.
Scenario Example:
Email from Elizabeth to Darcy:
Hey Darcy,
Yesterday, during our group discussion, Mark spoke low when he mentioned his concerns about the budget. I don’t think everyone heard him, but he seemed pretty serious. Maybe we should bring it up in the next meeting to get everyone on the same page?
Cheers,
Elizabeth
17. Speak in a Gentle Whisper
Speaking in a gentle whisper is often used when someone wants to sound caring or affectionate, creating an intimate atmosphere.
Scenario Example:
Text from Elizabeth to Darcy:
Hey Darcy,
You know those moments when someone speaks in a gentle whisper and it’s like they’re telling you a secret? That’s exactly how Sarah talked to her little boy today at the office. She was so calm and sweet; I could tell she was trying to soothe him without disturbing the rest of the team. It was a lovely moment to witness.
Catch up soon,
Elizabeth
