lead, pounce, show, emphasize, announce, dub, claim, correct, justify, demand, confront, step up, champion, swear, declare, stand up for, stand one's ground, counter, pronounce, overreact, speak out, prove, hold forth, fight for, debunk, assert, advocate for, attest, come forward, come to the point, hammer home, proclaim, affirm, contend, display (certainty), stake one's reputation on something, level with, voice, buck for (equal pay), avow

modify, temper, muffle, adjust, modulate (one's voice), slow, moderate, quiet, hush, articulate, intone, vocalize, soften (one's tone), attune, regulate (one's tone), downstep

smother, impersonate, mask, disguise, soften, mute, tone down, muffle, stifle, silence, mutter, dampen, quiet, mumble, whisper, titter, talk under one's breath, cover (one's mouth), cover over, talk out of the corner of one's mouth, mouth, put one's fist in one's mouth

stammer, stutter, clack, twitter, jabber, yap, tattle, bumble, gossip, waffle, chat, pooh-pooh, nitpick, dither, yak, babble, prattle, blab, blabber, blather, patter, ramble, natter, choke out, chitchat, tittle-tattle, spread rumors, yatter, yabber, yammer, prate, gabble

broadcast, chant, suggest, emphasize, spout, flatter, advise, interview, assure, chat, praise, declare, pledge, narrate, compliment, eulogize, extol, script, regale, confess, recite, confide, explain, bandy, reminisce, couch, describe, sweet-talk, utter, articulate, quip, soften (one's tone), reel off, bare (one's soul), pique (someone's interest), sweeten (one's tone), expound, remark, understate, rhapsodize

coo, hiss, hum, sigh, soothe, purr, calm, breathe, whisper, lull, hush, murmur, shush, sweet-talk, croon, quell, talk under one's breath, speak softly, mouth (words)