said is a better word. ))
some other words for the word "said" are to tell, speak, talk, or discuss.
If you want a word besides SAID, you can use the word announce. You could also use told or state.
argued, said, quoted,
told, reply, answer...
crooned
Allow and admit is what it said in the thesaurus.
Can cats said words
The word 'respond' means that the person who said it wants a verbal action from you. In other words a yes or no answer or an explanation.
In other words they said goodbye gently and left
'Oops" and "Hi!" <3
mentions, explain, argues, states, conclude