interject (verb)

Hello. If you're writing a story and using interjections (e.g., damn, amen, hallelujah), and you want to say that a character uses one of these interjections, is "interject" an appropriate word? Consider the following example:

"Damn!" Sarah interjected.

I thought this was kosher at first. But then I consulted Merriam Webster's Online Dictionary and Dictionary.com and can't find any authority for this use of the verb interject.

If this is improper, would verb would you suggest?

Exclaim?
Ejaculate?

I am trying to avoid using words that refer more specifically to saying something loudly, such as scream/yell/holler/call out/etc.

Thanks for the tips.

I think "exclaim" works well here. "Ejaculate" works too, but I tend to avoid that word because of its other meaning, and (in my opinion) its meaning of "exclaim" is not so common anymore.

"Interject" connotes an interruption, more than an exclamation.

Try the WordReference dictionary: type interject in the Dictionary search box near the top (and in the center). The first definition gives an example similar to your Sarah sentence, so your sentence is correct:

Interject -
1. to insert or make (a remark), often suddenly:
[no object]May I interject for just a moment?
[~ + object]to interject a remark.
[used with quotations]"Just a minute, Mr. Chairman, I object!'' he interjected.

It is also fine to just use "said", or "exclaim". As Barque says, "ejaculate" nowadays is mainly used in its sexual meaning, so is not a good choice.

dojibear said:

Try the WordReference dictionary: type interject in the Dictionary search box near the top (and in the center). The first definition gives an example similar to your Sarah sentence, so your sentence is correct:

Interject -
1. to insert or make (a remark), often suddenly:
[no object]May I interject for just a moment?
[~ + object]to interject a remark.
[used with quotations]"Just a minute, Mr. Chairman, I object!'' he interjected.

It is also fine to just use "said", or "exclaim". As Barque says, "ejaculate" nowadays is mainly used in its sexual meaning, so is not a good choice.

Thanks. I can't find any authority in other, more reputable, dictionaries for that use of the verb interject. Barque appears to be correct when he says that it connotes more of an interruption. I think I'll be sticking with exclaim for the time being. Thanks again.

Barque said:

I think "exclaim" works well here. "Ejaculate" works too, but I tend to avoid that word because of its other meaning, and (in my opinion) its meaning of "exclaim" is not so common anymore.

"Interject" connotes an interruption, more than an exclamation.

Thanks.